

































































PINNOCK'S 

IMPROVED EDITION OF 
DR. GOLDSMITH’S 

HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 

FROM THE INVASION OF 

JULIUS (LESAR TO THE DEATH OF GEORGE II. 

WITH A 

CONTINUATION TO THE YEAR 1872. 

WITH 

QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION 

AT TIIE END OF EACH SECTION. 

BESIDES A VARIETY OF VALUABLE INFORMATION, ADDED THROUGHOUT THE WORK 

CONSISTING OF 

Tables Ol Contemporary Sovereigns and Eminent Persons; Copious Explanatory Note 
Remarks on the Politics, Manners, and Literature ol Uie Age ; 
an Outline of the Constitution, 5u*.. 



ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS. 


BY WM. C. TAYLOR, LL.D. 


OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, 


AUTHOR OF MANUAL OF ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY, ETC., ETC. 


ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH AMERICAN, FROM THE THI RTY-FIFT H 

ENGLISH EDITION. 


Rfclfr ^ 


\ 


NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION. 

• / A ! 1 f y -y *1 1 * 

AUU i/. I Oky W. 

PHILADELPHIA: No JX.<>. 

CHARLES DE SILVER life SONS, 


No. 1701 Chestnut Street. 

1881 . 







Copyright. 

CHARLES I)E SILVER & SONS. 
1881 . 


j THE LIBRARY 
j OF CONGRESS 

j WASHINGTON 












PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION 


Next to our own national history, it is incumbent 
on American youth to make themselves acquainted 
with that of the country from which we derive our 
political existence, and the most valuable of our cus¬ 
toms and institutions. The history of England will 
never cease to be interesting to us. It will never be 
other than a valuable and important branch of instruc¬ 
tion in our schools. 

Among all the histories of that country which have 
been written, none has been so long and so deservedly 
popular as that of Dr. Goldsmith. Whether this be owing 
to its attractive and perfectly intelligible style, or to the 
vivid impression which his simple and clear narrative 
of the facts never fails to leave, it is not now important 
to inquire. The fact of its established classical charac¬ 
ter, is sufficient to justify the publisher in selecting the 
most approved edition of this work, to be revised and 
adapted to the use of schools in our own country. 

The mass of illustrative matter, consisting of notes, 
tables, engravings, &c., which the reader will find »n 
the piesent edition, may be regarded as adding greatiy 
to its value; and the complete and careful series of ques¬ 
tions appended to each section will claim the especial 
notice of teachers. 


3 



CONTENTS. 


CHAP. **AG e 

I.—The Ancient Britons. 7 

II.—The Saxons. 15 

III. —The Invasion of the Danes. 2J 

IV. —William the Conqueror . 41 

V.—William Rufus .. 45 

VI.—Henry 1. 49 

VII.—Stephen. 53 

VIII.—Henry II..-.. 57 

IX.—Richard 1. 68 

X.—John . 73 

XL—Henry III. 79 

XII.—Edward 1. 85 

XIII. —Edward II. 94 

XIV. —Edward III. 99 

XV.—Richard II. 109 

XVI.—Henry IV. 116 

XVII.—Henry V. 120 

XVIII.—Henry VI. 124 

XIX.— Edward IV. 134 

XX.— Edward V. 135 

XXI.—Richard III. 138 

XXII.—Henry VII. 141 

XXIII.—Henry VIII. 149 

XXIV.—Edward VI. 168 

XXV.—Mary. 173 

XXVI.—Elizabeth. 180 

XXVII.—James 1. 200 

XXVIII.—Charles 1. 210 

XXIX.—Oliver Cromwell. 235 

XXX.—Charles II. 251 

XXXI.—James II. 269 

XXXII.—William III. 278 

XXXIII.—Anne. 284 

XXXIV.—George I. 203 

XXXV.—George II. 317 

XXXVI.—George III. 361 

XXXVII.—George IV. 421 

XXXVIII.—William IV. 438 

XXXIX.—Victoria . 453 

XL.—Sketch of the progress of Literature, Science, and 

the Arts, during the present century. 520 

XLI.—The British Constitution ... .. 530 

Appendix. 53 s 


lv 














































INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 


Brief sketch of the Saxon Idols from which the Days 
of the Week received their names. 


The idol’* which our Saxon ancestors worshipped were various; but 
those which art* delineated in the Frontispiece, and from which the days 
of the week, derive their names, were the principai objects of their 
adoration. 

The Idol of Ihe S UN. 

This Idol, which represented the glorious luminary of the day, was the 
chief object oi their adoration. It is described like the bust of a man, 
6et upon a pillar; holding, with outstretched arms, a burning wheel be¬ 
fore his breast. The first day of the week was especially dedicated to its 
odorat'on, which they termed the Sun's daeg ; hence is derived the word 
Sunday. 

The Idol of Ihe ]\10 ON. 

The next, was the Idol of the Moon, which they worshipped on tho 
second day of the week, called by them Aloon's daeg ; and since by us 
Monday. 

The form of this idol is intended to represent a woman, habited in a 
short coat, and a hood, with two long ears. The moon which she holds 
in her hand designates the quality. 

The Idol of TUISCO. 

Tutsco was at first deified as the father and ruler of the Teutonic 
race, but in course of time he was worshipped as the son of the earth. 
From hint came the Saxon words Tutsco's daeg, which we call Tuesday. 

He is represented standing on a pedestal, as an old venerable sage, 
clothed with the skin of an animal, and holding a sceptre in the right 
hand. 

The Idol WODEN, or ODIN. 

Woden, or Odin, was the supreme divinity of the Northern nations 
This hero is supposed to have emigrated from the East, but from what 
country, or at what time, is not known. His exploits form the greatest part 
of the mythological creed of the Northern nations, and his achievements 
ore magnified beyond all credibility. The name of the fourth day ol tho 
week, called by the Saxon’s Woden's daeg , aDd by us Wednesday, 
derived from this personage. 

Woden is represented t;i a bold and martial attitude, clad in armour 
with a broad sword,.uplifted, in his right hand. 

The Idol THOR. 

Tror, the eldest and bravest of the sons of Woden and Fnga, was, 
after his parents, considered as the greatest god among the Saxon and 

A 2 



vi OF THE IDOLATRY OF THE SAXONS, &C. 

Danes. To him the fifth day of the week, called by them Thor'a dacg 
and by us Thursday, was consecrated. 

Thor is represented as sitting on a throne, with a crown of gold on hu 
head, adorned with a circle in iront, wherein were set twelve bright bur 
nished gold stars, and with a regal sceptre in his right hand. 


The Idol FRIG A, or FREA. 

Friga, or Fkea, was the wife of Woden, or Odin; and, next to him, 
the most revered divinity among the heathen Saxons, Danes, and othei 
Northern nations. In the most ancient times, Friga, or Frea. was the 
same with the goddess Hertha, or Earth. To her the sixth day of the 
week was consecrated, which by the Saxons was written Friga'8 Jacg 
corresponding with our Friday. 

Friga is represented with a drawn sword in her right hand, and a bow 
in her left. 

* The Idol SEA TER. 

The Idol Seater is represented on a pedestal, whereon is placed Q 
perch, on the sharp prickled back of which he stood. His head was un 
covered, and his visage lean. In his left hand he held up a wheel, and 
in his right was a pail of water, wherein were flowers and fruits; and 
his dress consisted of a long coat, girded with linen. 

The appellation given to the day of his celebration is sfill retained. 
The Saxons named it Seater's daeg, which we call Saturday. 


It wilt be seen, in our explanation of the Mythological plate, that the names of 
the days of the week owe their origin to the names given by the Saxons to their 
chief idols. We shall here observe, that the names which they gave to the month* 
were singularly descriptive of the seasons, and, therefore, we subjoin them : re 
marking, by the way, that the names of the months adopted by the French during 
the Revolution, though more elegant, were not more appropriate than tho 3 e of 
the Saxons, whose ideas they appear to have borroweu.—Their first mouth was 
styled 


Midwinter Monath ....... .December. 

Jiefter Yula .(or after Christmas). January. 

Sol Mon nth .(From the returning sun)... February 

Rclhc Monath .(Rugged Month). March. 

Easter Monath. . j (F Jr™,. r a v( ® aXOn . *° dde88 ‘ Wh ° 9e name We etiI! j April. 

Trimilchi .(From cows being milked thrice a day). May 

Sere Monath .(Fry month)...J 0 M 3 . 

M<rd Monath .(The meads being then in bloom). -..July. 

lYcod Monath .(From the luxuriance of weeds).AooraT. 

Bsfcst Mcnath ... .(Harvest month). .. Sepiem^er 

Tinier F,UM.. j < P t r ""' Z"nU r ,) ar, !'. r " a '. hin . e ^ !!“. I 1 ;! 1 . “??" °! | Ocrora, 

Blot JVJimciUl.... I, 1 ’' “"Xtof rattle -'"je tint monlh, and > 

) stored for winter provision)..* * vov * J *** t 





















THE 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER I. 

THE ANCIENT BRITONS. 

F BRITAIN,* FROM THR INVASION OF JULIUS CJESAR,f D. 0* 54, 

TO THE ABDICATION OF THE ROMANS.^ 

SECTION I. 

Theirs was the science of a martial race, 

Tu shape the lance or decorate the shield 
E’en ihe fair virgin stain’d her native grace, 

To eive new horron. lo the tented field. 

1. Britain was but very little known to the rest of the 
vorid before the time of the Romans. The coasts oppo¬ 
site Gaul§ were frequented by merchants, who traded 
thither for such commodities as the natives were able to 
produce, and who, it is thought, after a time, possessed 
themselves of all the maritime places where they had al 
first been permitted to reside. 2. Finding the country 
fertile, and commodiously situated for trade, they settled 
upon the seaside, and introduced the practice of agricul¬ 
ture ; hut it was very different with the inland inhabitants 
of the country, who considered themselves as the lawful 
possessors of the soil, and avoided all correspondence with 
the new comers, whom they viewed as intruders upon their 
property,11 and therefore harassed by repeated wars. 

* Britain, the name given to England, Scotland, and Wales, united 
t Julius Caesar was a most eloquent writer and successful warrior; be 
assumed the title of emperor, which roused the jealousy of many of the 
principal Roman citizens, by whom he was assassinated in the senatu-bouse, 
iu the 56th year of lus age. 

t The ancient inhabitants of Rome, in Italy, 
j Gaul was the ancient name of France. 

|| Geoffrey of Monmouth, an ancient English historian, says, that the Bri 
tisb isles were first peopled 1100 years before Christ, and asserts that Brutus 
the great grandson of .Eneas, colonized them with 'he descendants of those 
Tiojans, who, after the destruction of Troy, settled in Greece or Italy 
Tins account is, however, unsupported by any genuine historical documents 
and is therefore, now treated as purely fabulous, though in less enlightened 
ages a story so romantic easily passed current. 


7 



8 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


3. The inland inhabitants are represented as extremely 
numerous, living in cottages thatched witn straw, and 
feeding large herds of cattle. They lived mostly upon 
milk, or flesh produced by the chase.* What clothes they 
wore, to cover any part of their bodies, were usually the 
skins of beasts ; but the arms, legs, and thighs were left 
naked, and were usually painted blue. 4. Their hair, 
which was long, flowed down upon their backs and shoul¬ 
ders ; while their beards were kept close shaven, except 
upon the upper lip, where they were suffered to grow. The 
dress of savage nations is everywhere pretty much the 
same, being calculated rather to inspire terror than to excite 
love or respect. 

5. As to their government, it consisted of several small 
principalities, each under its respective leader; and this 
seems to oe the earliest mode of dominion with which man¬ 
kind are acquainted, and is deduced from the natural privi¬ 
leges of paternal authority. Upon great and imminent 
dangers, a commander-in-chief was chosen by common 
consent, in a general assembly ; and to him was committed 
the conduct of the general interest, the power of making 
peace or leading to war, and the administration of justice. 

6. Their forces consisted chiefly of foot, and yet they 
could bring a considerable number of horse into the field 
upon great occasions. They likewise used chariots in 
battle, which, with short scythes fastened to the ends of 
the axletrees, inflicted terrible wounds, spreading horror 
and devastation wheresoever they drove.f 7. Nor while the 
chariots were thus destroying, were the warriors who con¬ 
ducted them unemployed : they darted their javelins against 
the enemy, ran along the beam, leaped on the ground, re¬ 
sumed their seat, stopped or turned their horses at full speed, 
and sometimes cunningly retreated to draw the enemy into 
confusion. 

8. 'The religion of the Britons was one of the most con¬ 
siderable parts of their government; and the Druids,{ 

* 'The ancient Britons were so habitually regular and temperate that 
Jthey only began to grow old at a hundred and twenty years.— Plutarch, 
Dt Placilis rliitowphice. 

+ (Vsar gives a most animated description of the dexterity of the Britons 
in managing their war chariots, which he ascribes to constant use and in¬ 
cessant exercise ; thereby intimating that the Britons were continually eu 
gaged in intestine wars.— Casar's Com. lib. iv. 

t The Druids were divided into three different classes; the Bards wao 
were the heroic historians and genealogical poeib the Vates, who were the 
* acred musicians, the religious nocts, and the pretended prophets • the third 


THE ANCIENT BRITONS 


9 



An Ancient Briton. 


who were the guardians of it, possessed great authority 
among them. No species of superstition was ever more 
terrible than theirs: besides the severe penalties which 
they vvere permitted to indict in this world, they inculcated 
the eternal transmigration of souls, and thus extended iheir 
authority as far as the fears of their votaries.* 9. 'I hey 


class, which was by far the most numerous, and who performed all the. other 
offices of religion, were called by the general name of Druids, which appella¬ 
tion was commonly given to the whole fraternity. Their supreme chief was 
styled the Arch-druid. To the priesthood were also attached a number of 
females, called Druidesses, who were likewise divided into three classes, 
those of the first, vowed perpetual virginity, and lived together, sequestered 
from the rest of the world : these were great pretenders to divination, pro¬ 
phecy, and miracles, and were highly venerated by the people. The second 
class consisted of certain devotees, who, though married, sjieut the greater 
part of their time with the Druids in assisting in the offices of religion, oc¬ 
casionally returning to their hmbands. The third and lowest class waited 
on the Druids, and performed the most servile offices about the temples, &c. 
The priesthood, in the most ancient times, was hereditary in ull countries 
and was particularly so in the Celtic nations; where the order of Di uuJs (Tiff 
not only descend tc their posterity, but the office of priests was likewise no 
reditary in families. 

* Among n people so credulous as the ancient Britons, it is no wonaef 
that those who possessed such high authority among them as the Druids, 
practised the greatest imjiositions; accordingly we read, that the Druids 
were '_n the habit of borrowing large sums of the people, which they pro¬ 
mised to repay in the other world—“ Druidse pecuniam mutuo accipiebant 
in posteriore vita redditun .”—Patriciua 





10 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


sacrificed human victims, which they burnt in large wicker 
idols, made so capacious as to contain a multitude of per¬ 
sons at once, who were thus consumed together. To these 
rites, tending to impress ignorance with awe, they added 
the austerity of their manners and the simplicity of their 
lives. They lived in woods, caves, and in hollow trees ; their 
food was acorns and berries, and their drink water. These 
arts caused the people not only to respect, but almost to adore 
them. The most remarkable Druidical monument in England 
is the circle of stones on Salisbury plain, called Stonehenge, 
it appears to have been a great national temple. 

10. It may be easily supposed that the manners of the 
people took a tincture from the discipline of their teachers. 
Their lives were simple, but they were marked with crueity 
and fierceness; their courage was great, but neither dignified 
by mercy nor perseverance. 



Caesar invading Britain. 


11 The Britons had long remained in this rude but in¬ 
dependent state, when Caesar, having overrun Gaul with 
his victories, and willing still further to extend his fame, 
determined upon the conquest of a country that seemed to 
promise an easy triumph; accordingly, when the troops 
designed for the expedition were embarked, he set sail for 
Britain about midnight, and the next morning arrived on the 
coast near Dover, where he saw the rocks and cliffs covered 
with armed men to oppose his landing. 











THE ANCIENT BRITONS. 


11 


12. The Britons had chosen Cassivelau'nus* for their 
commander-in-chief; but the petty princes under his com¬ 
mand, either desiring his station, or suspecting his fidelity, 
threw off their allegiance. 13. Some of them fled with 
their forces into the internal parts of the kingdom, others 
submitted to Caesar, till at length Cassivelau'nus himself; 
weakened by so many desertions, resolved upon making 
what terms he was able, while he yet had power to keep 
the field. 14. The conditions offered by Caesar, and ac¬ 
cepted by him, were, that lie should send to the continent 
double the number of hostages at first demanded, and that 
he should acknowledge subjection to the Romans. Caesar, 
however, was obliged to return once more to compel the 
Britons to complete their stipulated treaty. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. Was Britain well known before the time of its invasion by the Ro, >;ns? 
Bv whom were, at that time, the coasts opposite Gaul frequented ? 

2. Who introduced the practice of agriculture ? 

3. 4 Describe the inland inhabitants. 

5. Of what did the government of the ancient Britons consist? 

6, 7. What was their chief force? 

8. Who were the ministers of their religion? 

9 Did they ever sacrifice human victims? 

10. What were the manners of the people ? 

11. Who first determined on the conquest of Britain? 

12. 13. Whom did the Britons choose for their leader? 

14. What conditions were offered by Caesar, and accepted by Cassivelac^u 


SECTION IL 

Great Boadicea- 

Thy very fall perpetuates thy fame, 

And Suetonius’ laurels droop with shame. — Dibdtn. 

1. Upon the accession of Augustus, f that emperor 
formed a design of visiting Britain, but was diverted ircui 
it by the unexpected revolt of the Panno'nians.f 

Tiberius, § wisely judging the empire already too exten¬ 
sive, made no attempt upon Britain. From that time tilt 
natives began to improve in all the arts which contribute to 
the advancement of human nature. 

2. The wild extravagances of Calig'ula,|| by which he 

* Sometimes written Cassibelaunus, or Cassibe'lan. 

t Augustus was the son of Julius Caesar’s niece, adopted by Caesar. He 
was the second emperor of Rome. 

t The people of Hungary, which country was formerly called Pannoma 

J The third emperor of Rome. 

il A Roman emperor the successor of Tibe'rjug, 





12 


HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 


threatened Britain with an invasion, served rather to expose 
him to ridicule than the island to danger. At lengln, the 
Romans, in the reign of Clau dius,* began to think seri¬ 
ously of reducing them under their dominion. r l he ex¬ 
pedition for this purpose was conducted in the beginning 
by Plan'tins and other commanders, with that success which 
usually attended the Roman arms. 

3. Carac'tacus was the first who seemed willing, by a 
vigorous effort, to rescue liis country, and repel its insulting 
and rapacious conquerors. 'Phis rude soldier, though with 
inferior forces, continued, for above nine years, to oppose 
and harass the Romans ; till at length he was totally routed 
and taken prisoner by Osto'rius Scap'ula, who sent him in 
triumph to Rome. 4. While Carac'tacus was being led 
through Rome, he appeared no way dejected at the amazing 
concourse of spectators that were gathered upon this occa¬ 
sion ; but casting his eyes on the splendours that surrounded 
him, “Alas!” cried he, “how is it possible that a people 
possessed of such magnificence at home, could envy me a 
humble cottage in Britain ?” The emperor was affected 
by the British hero’s misfortunes, and won by his address 
He ordered him to be unchained on the spot, and set a< 
liberty with the rest of the. captives. 

5. 'Hie cruel treatment of Boadi'cea, queen of the Ice'ni 
drove the Britons once more into open rebellion. Prasat' 
agus, king of the Ice'ni, at his death had bequeathed one 
half his dominions to the Romans, and the other to his 
daughters, thus hoping, by the sacrifice of a part, to secure 
the rest to his family. But it had a different effect; for 
the Roman procurator immediately took possession of the 
whole: and when Boadi'cea, the widow of the deceased, 
attempted to remonstrate, he ordered her to be scourged 
like a slave, and made slaves of her daughters. 6. These 
outrages were sufficient to produce a revolt throughout the 
island. The Ice'ni, as being the most deeply interested in 
the quarrel, were the first to take arms ; all the other states 
soon followed the example ; and Boadi'cea, a woman of 
great beauty and masculine spirit, was appointed to head 
the common forces, which amounted to two hundred and 
thirty thousand fighting men. 7. These, exasperated bv 
their wrongs, attacked several of the Roman settlements and 
colonies with success: Suetoni'us, who commanded the 
Roman forces, hastened to relieve London, which was al- 
* The son )f Dru'sus. and successor of Calig'ula 


THE ANCIENT BRITONS. 


13 


ready a flourishing colony ; but found, on his arrival, that 
it would be requisite for the general safety to abandon that 
place to the merciless fury of the enemy. 8. London was 
soon therefore, reduced to ashes ; such of the inhabitants 
as remained in it were massacred ; and the Romans, with 
all other strangers, to the number of seventy thousand, 
were cruelly put to the sword. Flushed with these suc¬ 
cesses, the Britons no longer sought to avoid the enemy, 
but boldly came to the place where Suetoni'us awaited their 
arrival, posted in a very advantageous manner with a body 
of ten thousand men. 9. 'Die battle was obstinate and 
bloody. Boadi'cea herself appeared in a chariot with her 
two daughters, and harangued her army with masculine in¬ 
trepidity ; but the irregular and undisciplined bravery of 
her troops was unable to resist the cool intrepidity of the 
Romans. They were routed with great slaughter ; eighty 
thousand perished in the field, and an infinite number were 
made prisoners; while Boadi'cea herself, fearing to fall 
into the hands of the enraged victor, put an end to her life 
by poison. 

10. The general who firmly established the dominion of 
the Romans in this island was Ju lius Agric'ola,* who go¬ 
verned it during the reigns of Vespa'sian,t Ti'tus,f and 
Domi'tian,§ and distinguished himself as well by his cou¬ 
rage as humanity. 

For several years after the time of Agric'ola, a profound 
peace seems to have prevailed in Britain, and little mention 
is made of the affairs of the island by any historian. 

11. At length, however, Rome, that had for ages given 
laws to nations, and diffused slavery and oppression over 
the known world, began to sink under her own magnifi¬ 
cence. Mankind, as if by a general consent, rose up to 
vindicate their natural freedom ; almost every nation as¬ 
serting that independence of which they had been so long 
unjustly deprived. 

12. During these struggles the British youth were fre¬ 
quently drawn away into Gaul, to give ineffectual succour 

* Ju'lius Agric'ola was the father-in law of Ta'citus, the celebrated his 

torian. , 

t Vespa'sian was the tenth Roman emperor; he was valiant, but very 

avaricious. 

1 Ti'tus was the eleventh Roman emperor, the son of Vespa sian, he waa 
so pood a man that he was called the “delight of mankind. 

v Domi'tian was the twelfth Roman emperor, and brother to Ti tus; he 
was a gtcat persecutor of the Christians, uud of u most cruel disposition. 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


14 

to the various contenders for the empire, who, failing in 
every attempt, only left the name of tyrants behind them.* 
In the mean time, as the Homan forces decreased in Britain, 
the Piets and Scotsf continued still more boldly to infest 
the northern parts ; and crossing the friths, which the Ro¬ 
mans could not guard, in little wicker boats covered with 
leather, filled the country, wherever they came, with slaugh¬ 
ter and consternation. 

13. The Romans, therefore, finding it impossible to stand 
their ground in Britain, in the reign of the emperor \ alen- 
tin'ian took their last leave of the island, after being masters 
of it for nearly four hundred years, and now left the natives 
to the choice of their own government and kings. They 
gave them the best instructions the calamitous times would 
permit, for exercising their arms, and repairing their ram¬ 
parts ; and helped them to erect a new wall of stone across 
the island, for they had not, at that time, artisans skilful 
enough among themselves to repair that which had been 
built by the emperor Sev'erus. The ruins of this wall, and 
the fortresses by which the Roman colonies were defended, 
Eire among the most interesting relics of antiquity in England. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What prevented Augustus from visiting Britain ? 

Did Tihenus make an attempt upon Britain? 

2. What exposed Caligula to ridicule ? 

3. Who was the first person that was willing to repel the invaders? 

How long did Caraetacus harass the Romans? 

4. What remarks did Caraetacus make on witnessing the splendour of 

Rome ? 

5. What caused the Britons to rebel ? 

Who commanded Boadicea to be ill treated? 

6 What were the consequences ? 

7. Who commanded the Roman forces at that time ? 

8. What \\ as the fate of London and its inhabitants? 

9 Describe Boadicea’s conduct, and the result of this battle. 

10 At what time did peace prevail in Great Britain? 

11 What was the situation of Rome at this time? 

12 What were the nations that infested the northern parts ? 

13 When did the Romans take their leave of Britain ? And how long had 

they been masters of it? 


* According to the “Notitia Imperii no less than twelve Brtish cjrpc 
of infantry and cavalry were constantly dis[»ersed in the distant provincer. 
of the empire; while foreign soldiers were, according to the invariable 
pokey of the Romans, stationed in Britain. 

f The names by which the inhabitants of Scotland were at that time dig. 
tmguiMied “The Piets'so called from Picticfi. a plunderer and not from 
Pirti painted), and the Scots from Smite, a wanderer, in the Celtic tongue 
Were only different tribes of Caledonians.”— Dr. Henry. 




15 


THE SAXOJ.it. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE SAXONS. 

SECTION I. 

Bnt hark ! what foreign drum on Thanat’s isle 
Proclaims assistance ? *Tw the Saxon liaial 
By Heni'ist led. and Horsa, see, they entile, 

And greet their hosts with false, insidious hand.— Dibdtn. 

1. (A.I). 447.) The Britons, being now left *o them 
seizes, considered their new liberties as their greatest cala¬ 
mity. The Piets and Scots, uniting together, began to look 
upon Britain as their own, and attacked the northern wall, 
which the Romans had built to keep off their incursions, 
with success. Having thus opened to themselves a passage, 
they ravaged the whole country with impunity, while the 
Britons sought precarious shelter in the woods and moun¬ 
tains.* 

2. It was in this deplorable and enfeebled state that the 
Britons had recourse to the Saxons, a brave people ; who, 
for their strength and valour, were formidable to all the 
German nations around them, and supposed to be more 
than a match for the gods themselves. They were a people 
restless and bold, who considered war as their trade ; and 
were, in consequence, taught to consider victory as a doubt¬ 
ful advantage, but courage as a certain good. 3. A nation, 
however, entirely addicted to war, has seldom wanted the 
imputation of cruelty, as those terrors which are opposed 
without fear are often inflicted without regret. The Saxons 
are represented as a very cruel nation * but we must re¬ 
member that their enemies have drawn the picture. 

4. It was no disagreeable circumstance to these ambitious 
people to be invited into a country upon which they had foi 
ages been forming designs. In consequence, therefore, of the 
solemn invitation of Vor'tigern, who was then king of Bri¬ 
tain, they arrived with fifteen hundred men, under the com¬ 
mand of Hen'gist and Hor'sa, who were brothers, and 

* In this extremity, they made application for succour to yEtius, prefect 
of Gaul, in the following remarkable words:—“ The groans of the wretched 
Britons, to the thriee-ap|K>inted Consul /Etiits.—The barbarians drive us into 
the sea, and the sea forces us back on the swords ol the barbarians, so that 
we have nothing left us hut the wretched choice of being either drowned 
or murdered." Aitius was, however, too closely engaged in opposing Attala, 
flu renowned king of the Huns (who. from the f.ivoc he made wherever 
his sword was drawn, was denominated “The scourge of God") to bestow 
\ny attention on the Britons. 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


10 

landed on the isle of Than'et.* 5. There they did n>i 
long remain inactive ; but being joined by the British forces, 
they boldly marched against the Piets and Scots, who had 
advanced as far as Lincolnshire, and soon gained a complete 
victory over them. (A. D. 450.) 

The Saxons, however, being sensible of the fertility of 
the country to which they came, and the barrenness of that 
which they had left behind, invited over great numbers of 
their countrymen to become sharers in their new expedi- 
^m. 6. Accordingly they received a fresh supply of five 

thousand men, who passed over in seventeen vessels, and 
soon made a permanent establishment in the island. 

The British historians, in order to account for the easy 
conquest of their country by the Saxons, assign their trea¬ 
chery, not less than their valour, as a principal cause. 

7. They allege, that Vor'tigern was artfully inveigled 
into a passion for Rowe'na, the daughter of Hen'gist; and, 
in order to marry her, was induced to settle the fertile pro¬ 
vince of Rent upon her father, from whence the Saxons 
could never after be removed.! It is alleged, also, that 
upon the death of Vor'timer, which happened shortly after 
the victory he obtained at Eg'glesford, Vor'tigern, his fa¬ 
ther, was reinstated upon the throne. 8. It is added, that 
this weak monarch, accepting of a festival from Hen'gist. 
three hundred of his nobility were treacherously slaugh¬ 
tered, and himself detained as a captive. 

After the death of Hen'gist, several other German tribes, 
allured by the success of their countrymen, went over in 
great numbers. 9. A body of Saxons, under the conduct 
of Ella and his three sons, had some time before laid the 
foundation of the kingdom of the South Saxons, though 
not without great opposition and bloodshed. 'Phis new 
kingdom included Surry, Sussex, and the New Eorest ; 
and extended to the frontiers of Kent. 

10. Another tribe of the Saxons, under the command of 
Cerdic, and his son Kenric, landed in the west, and from 
thence took the name of West Saxons. These met with 

♦Than'et is an island of Kent. Margate and Ramsgate are its principal towns, 
t Out old English historians say, that when the beautiful Rowe'na was first 
introduced to Vor'tigern, “ she presented him, on her knee, w ith a cup »:f 
wine, saving ‘ Waes heal, hlaford cyning,’ or ‘Be of health, Lord Xmg !' tc 
which Vor'tigern, being instructed in the custom, answered, • Drtnc heal, 
or, * 1 drink your health.’ ”—It is proper here to observe, however, that some 
able historians have declared, that no authentic documents exist concerning 
these stories of Vor'tigern and Rowe'na, or of the slaughter of the British 
nobles: and that they are inclined to believe the whole a fiction, or, at least 
very much exaggerated. 


THE SAXONS. 


17 


very vigorous opposition from tiie natives, but being rein¬ 
forced from Germany,* and assisted by their countrymen on 
the island, they routed the Britons; and although retarded in 
their progress by the celebrated king Arthur,f they had 
strength enough to keep possession of the conquest they had 
already made. Cerdic, therefore, with his son Ivmric, es¬ 
tablished the third Saxon kingdom in the island, namely that 
>f the West Saxons, including the counties of Hants, Dorset, 
V\ ills, Berks, and the Isle of Wight. 

11. It was in opposing this Saxon invader that the ce¬ 
lebrated prince Arthur acquired his fame. However un¬ 
successful all his valour might have been in the end, yet 
his name made so great a figure in the fabulous annals of 
the times, that some notice must be taken of him. 12. This 
piince is of such obscure origin, that some authors suppose 
him to be the son of king Ambro'siiis,^ and others only his 
nephew ; others again affirm that he was a Cornish prince, 
and son of Gurlois, king of that province. However this 
be, it is certain he was a commander of great valour; and, 
could courage alone have repaired the miserable state of the 
Britons, his might have been effectual. IB. According to 
the most authentic historians, he worsted the Saxons in 
twelve successive battles. In one of these, namely, that 
fought at Caerbadon, in Berks, it is asserted that he killed 
no less than four hundred and forty of the enemy with his 
own hand. But the Saxons were too numerous and power¬ 
ful to be extirpated by the desultory efforts of single va 
lour ; so that a peace, and not a conquest, was the im¬ 
mediate fruit of his victories. 14. The enemy, therefore, 
still gained ground ; and this prince, in the decline of life, 
had the mortification, from some domestic troubles of his 
own, to be a patient spectator of their encroachments. His 
first wife had been carried off by Melnas, king of Somerset¬ 
shire, who detained her a whole year at Glas'tonburv,§ 
until Arthur, discovering the place of her retreat, advanced 
with an army against the seducer, and obliged him to give 
her back. 15. In his second wife, perhaps, he may have 
been more fortunate, as we have no mention made of her ; 
but it was otherwise with his third consort, who was car- 

* A large country of Rurope, comprising many kingdoms and states, 
t A British prince, who established Christianity at York, in the roorr. of 
paganism, or worshipping of idols. 

1 King of the Britons. 

$ Glas’tonburv is a town in ISomersetshire, noted for a famous abbey; 

B 2 


18 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


riedofl’by his own nephew, Mordred. This produced a re¬ 
bellion, in which the king and his traitorous kinsman, meet¬ 
ing in battle, slew each other. 


Questions for Examination 
] Who ravaged England with impunity ? 

2 To whom did the Britons have recourse for assistance in their distress t 

3. What character is given of the Saxons ? 

4. Where did the Saxons land ? 

5 Whom did the Saxons defeat? 

6. By what means can the easy conquest of the Britons be accounted for ? 
7 How did the Saxons obtain possession of the province of Kent ? 

8. Were not many of the British nobility treacherously slaughtered ? 

9. Who laid the foundation of the South Saxon kingdom ? 

10. Who gave rise to the name of the West Saxons ? 

11. 12- What celebrated British prince opposed the Saxons with success 

13. What extraordinary feat of valour is related of him ? 

14. What domestic troubles afflicted Arthur in the decline of life? 


SECTION II. 

While undecided yet which part should fall, 

Which nation rise, the glorious Lord of all. — Creech. 

1. (A.D. 575.) In the mean time, while the Saxons were 
thus gaining ground in the west, their countrymen were 
not less active in the other parts of the island. Adventurers 
still continuing to pour over from Germany, one body of 
them, under the command of Uffa, seized upon the counties 
of Cambridge, Suffolk, and Norfolk, and gave their com¬ 
mander the title of king of the East Angles,* which was the 
fourth Saxon kingdom founded in Britain. 

2. Another body of these adventurers formed a kingdom 
under the title of East Saxony, or Essex, comprehending 
Essex, Middlesex, and part of Hertfordshire. This king¬ 
dom, which was dismembered from that of Kent, formed the 
fifth Saxon principality founded in Britain. 

3. The kingdom of Mercia was the sixth which was es¬ 
tablished by th^e fierce invaders, comprehending all the 
middle counties, from the hanks of the Severn to the frontiers 
of the two last-named kingdoms. 

The seventh and last kingdom which they obtained was 
that of Northumberland,f one of the most powerful and 
extensive of them all. This was formed from the union of 

• Comprehending Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and the Isle of Ely. 

t Northumberland, that is, the land north of the river Humber, <\>n 
mined six counties in England, and extended as far as the Frith of Edin 
burg;, in Scotland 




THE SAXONS. 


19 


two smaller Saxon kingdoms, the one nailed Berni'cia, ton- 
tain mg the present county of Northumberland and the 
bishoprick of Durham ; the subjects of the other, called 
Dei'ri, extending themselves over Lancashire and York¬ 
shire. 4. These kingdoms were united in the person of 
Ethelred, king of Northumberland, by the explosion of 
Edwin, his brother-in-law, from the kingdom of the Deiri. 
and the seizure of his dominions. In this manner, the na 
tives being overpowered, or entirely expelled, seven king¬ 
doms were established in Britain, which have since been 
well known by the name of the Saxon heptarchy. 

5. The Saxons, being thus well established in all the desi¬ 
rable parts of the island, and having no longer the Britons 
*o contend with, began to quarrel among themselves. A 
country divided into a number of petty independent princi¬ 
palities, must ever be subject to contention, as jealousy and 
ambition have more frequent incentives to operate. 6. After 
a series, therefore, of battles, treasons, and stratagems, all 
their petty principalities fell under the power of Egbert, 
king of Wessex, whose merits deserved dominion, and 
whose prudence secured his conquests. By him all the 
kingdoms of the heptarchy were united under one common 
jurisdiction ; but, to give splendour to his authority, a gene¬ 
ral council of the clergy and laity was summoned at Win¬ 
chester, where he was solemnly crowned king of England, 
by which name the united kingdom was thenceforward 
called. 

7. Thus, about four hundred years after the first arrival 
of the Saxons in Britain, all the petty settlements were 
united into one great state, and nothing offered but prospects 
of peace, security, and increasing refinement. 

It was about this period that St. Gregory undertook to 
send missionaries among the Saxons, to convert them to 
Christianity. 8. It is said, that, before his elevation to the 
papal chair, he chanced one day to pass through the slave- 
market at Rome, and perceiving some children of great 
beauty, who were set up for sale, he inquired about theii 
country, and finding they were English pagans, he is said 
to have cried out in the Latin language, Non Angli sed 
Angeli, forent, si essent Christiani. “They would not be 
Engksh, but angels, had they been Christians.”* 9. From 

* Inquiring further the name of their province, he was answered Doiri 
a district of Northumberland). “Deiri,” replied St Gregory, “ that p good*' 
tlu'V are called to the mercy of God from his anger; that is, pk In a. But 


20 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


that time he was struck with an ardent desire to con vert th at 
unenlightened nation, and ordered a monk, named Augus'- 
tine, and others of the same fraternity, to undertake the 
mission into Britain. 

This pious monk, upon his first landing in the Isle of 
Thane't, sent one of his interpreters to Eth'elbert, the Kent 
ish king, declaring he was come from Rome with offers of 
eternal salvation. 10. The king immediately ordered them 
o be furnisheu with all necessaries, and even visited them, 
though without declaring himself as yet in their favour. 
Augus'tine, however, encouraged by this favourable recep¬ 
tion, and now seeing a prospect of success, proceeded with 
redoubled zeal to preach the gospel. 11. The king openly 
espoused the Christian religion : while his example wrought 
so successfully on his subjects, that numbers of them came 
voluntarily to be baptized, the missionary loudly declaring 
against any coercive means towards their conversion. In 
this manner the other kingdoms, one after the other, em 
braced the faith : and England was soon as famous for its 
superstition, as it had once been for its averseness to Chris¬ 
tianity. 

The Saxon ecclesiastics were in general men of great piety 
and learning. The most celebrated among them was the 
venerable Bede, bom A. D. 073, died A. D. 735, whose his¬ 
tory of the Anglo-Saxon Church was so highly valued by 
King Alfred, that he translated it from the Latin language, in 
which it was written, into the Saxon. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. Whence did adventurers continue to come? 

What counties formed the fourth kingdom of the Saxons ? 

2. What counties did the fifth Saxon kingdom comprehend ? 

3. What was the sixth kingdom called ? 

What was the seventh kingdom ? and how was it formed ? 

4. What was the general name given to the seven Saxon kingdoms? 
o. What happened to the Saxons after the Britons were subdued 7 

0. Under whose power did all the petty principalities fall ? 

7 At als'ut what period were missionaries sent among the Saxons to con¬ 
vert them to Christianity ? 

8,11. What was the circumstance which occasioned the sending missionaries 
into Britain ? 

10. How were the missionaries received by the Saxon monarch ? 

I] What jflect was produced by the king’s example ? 


who is the king of that province named?” He was told A2 lla. or A r.f.A 
Alleluiah!” cried he, “ we must endeavour that the praises, of God be sung 
in lus country ”—Hume 




invasion of the panes. 


21 


CHAPTER III. 

THE INVASION OF THE DANES. 

FROM THE END 01 THE HEPTARCHY TO THE REIGN OF WILLIAM 

THE CONQUEROR. 

SECTION I. 

The Dnrifis! thn Pants ! th« young ami ig'od cry. 

And mothers press their infants as they tiy. — JJib din. 

1. (A.D. 832.) Peace and unanimity had been scarcely 
established in England, when a mighty swarm of those na¬ 
tions called Danes* and Northmen, subsequently corrupted 
into Normen or Normans, who had possessed the country 
bordering on the Baltic,t began to level their fury against 
England. A small body of them at first landed on the coasts, 
with a view to learn the state of the country ; and having 
committed some depredations, fled to their ships for safety 

2. About seven years after this first attempt, they made a 
descent upon the kingdom of Northumberland, where they 
pillaged a monastery, but their fleet being shattered by a 
storm, they were defeated by the inhabitants and put to the 
sword. It was not till about five years after the accession 
of Egbert,! that their invasions became truly formidable. 
From that time they continued with unceasing ferocity, until 
the whole kingdom was reduced to a state of the most dis- 
tressing bondage.§ 

3. Though often repulsed, they always obtained their 
end of spoiling the country, and carrying the plunder away. 
It was their method to avoid coming, if possible, to a general 
engagement; but, scattering themselves over the face of the 
country, they carried away indiscriminately, as well tho 
nhabitants themselves, as all their moveable possessions. 

4 At length, however, they resolved upon making a set- 

* The Danes were inhabitants of Denmark, a kingdom in the north of 
Europe. 

t The Baltic is an inland sea in the north of Europe. 

f Egbert was the first sole monarch in England. 

$ Nothing could lie more dreadful than the manner in which these fierce 
barbarians carried on their incursions; they spared neither age nor sex, and 
each commander urged the soldiers to inhumanity. One of their celebrated 
chieftains, named Oliver, gained, from his dislike to the favourite amusement 
of his soldiers (that of tossing children on the points of their spears), the con 
tempmous surname of Buniakr.l, or “The Preserver of Children ” 


22 


HISTORY OF ENGLANE. 


tlement in the country ; and landing on the Isle of Thanei, 
stationed themselves there. In this place they kept their 
ground, nothwithstanding a bloody victory gained over them 
by Eth'elvvolf. The reign of Eth'elbald, his successor, was 
of no long continuance ; however, in a short space, he 
crowded together a number of vices sufficient to render his 

O 

name odious to posterity. 

5. This prince was succeeded by his brother Eth'elred, a 
rave commander, but whose valour was insufficient to re¬ 
press the Danish incursions. In these exploits he was 
always assisted by his younger brother, Alfred, afterwards 
surnamed the Great, who sacrificed all private resentment to 
the public good, having been deprived by the king of a large 
patrimony. 6. It was during Eth'elred’s reign that the 
Danes, penetrating into Mercia, took up their winter-quarters 
at Nottingham ; from whence the king attempting to dislodge 
them, received a wound in the battle, of which be died, 
leaving his brother Alfred the inheritance of a kingdom that 
was now reduced to the brink of ruin. 

7. The Danes had already subdued Northumberland and 
East Anglia, and had penetrated into the very heart of Wes¬ 
sex. The Mercians were united against Alfred ; the de¬ 
pendence upon the other provinces of the empire was but 
precarious : the lands lay uncultivated, through fear of con¬ 
tinual incursions ; and all the churches and monasteries 
were burnt to the ground. In this terrible situation of aflairs 
nothing appeared but objects of terror, and every hope was 
lost in despair. 8. The wisdom and virtues of one man 
alone were found sufficient to bring back happiness, security 
and order; and all the calamities of the times found redress 
from Alfred. 

9. This prince seemed born not only to defend his bleed 
ing country, but even to adorn humanity. He had given 
very early instances of those great virtues which afterwards 
gave splendour to his reign ; and was anointed by pope Leo 
as future king, when he was sent by his father, for his 
education, to Rome. On his return from thence, he became 
every day more the object of his father’s fond affections j 
and that perhaps was the reason why his education was a 
first neglected. He had attained the age of twenty before 
he was made acquainted with the lowest elements of litera¬ 
ture ; but hearing some Saxon poems read, which recounted 
the praise of heroes, his whole mind was roused, not only 
to obtain a similitude of glory, but also to be able to transmit 


INVASION OF THE DANES. 


23 


that glory to posterity 10. Encouraged by the queen his 
mother, and assisted by a penetrating genius, he soon learned 
to read these compositions, and proceed from thence to a 
knowledge of Latin authors, who directed his taste, and rec- 
tilled Ins ambition. 

He was scarcely come to the throne when he was obliged 
to oppose the Danes, who had seized Wilton,* and were ex¬ 
ercising their usual ravages on the country around. 11. He 
marched against them with the few troops he could assemble 
on a sudden, and a desperate battle was fought, to the disad¬ 
vantage of the English. But it was not in the power of 
misfortune to abate the king’s diligence, though it repressed 
his power to do good. He was in a little time enabled to 
hazard another engagement; so that the enemy, dreading 
his courage and activity, proposed terms of peace, which he 
did not think proper to refuse. 12. They, by this treaty, 
agreed to relinquish the kingdom ; but instead of complying 
with their engagements, they only removed from one place 
to another, burning and destroying wherever they came 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. A. D. 

Gregory IV’. 823 

Sergius II. 844 

Leo IV. 847 

Benedict III. 855 

Nicholas 1. 858 

Emperors of the East. 
Michael II. 821 


Theophilus 1. 829 

Michael III. 842 

Emperors of the West, 
and Kings of France. 

Lewis 1. 814 

Lotharios. 840 

Lewis II. 855 

EMINENT PERSONS. 


Kings of Scotland. 

A D 


Congallus III. 824 

Dniigallus. 829 

AI pint is.. 834 

Kennethus II. 849 

Donald us V. 859 

Constantius II. 865 


In the reign of Egbert: Earls Osmond and Dudda. Bishops Wiefurth and 
Herefurth .—In the reigns of Ethelhald and Ethelbert: Swithun. bishop of 
Winchester. Osryck. earl of Hampton. Lambert and Ethelhard, archbishops 
of Canterbury .—In the reign of Ethelred: Oshncht and Ella, Northumbrian 
princes, who were killed while bravely opposing the Danes. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What enemies disturbed the tranquillity which England enjoyed after the 
union of the seven Saxon kingdoms? 

What mode of warfare was practised hy the Danes ? 

2 What loss did the Danes suffer by sea? 

3 What did the Danes carry away ? 

4. Where did they at length establish themselves? 

5 . Who succeeded Ethelhald ? 

Bv whom v\as Ethelred assisted? 

"MVilton is the county town of Wiltshire, though Salisbury is now itsprin 
eipul place 

























24 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

6 What \vae the cause of Ethelred’s death ? and tn whom did he leave the 

h :ngdom ? 

7.H What was the cause of the lands remaining uncultivated ? 

9, <0. What is related of Alfred’s youth and early disposition ? 

1. What was the success of this prince against the Danes ( 

2. In what maimer did the Danes observe their treaty with Alfred ? 


SECTION II. 

Replete with soul the monarch stood alone. 

Ami built, on freedom’s basis, England’s throne; 

A legislator, parent, warrior, sage. 

He died, the light of a benigoled age. — Dibdm. 

1. (A. D. 877.) Alfred, thus opposed to an enemy whom 
no stationary force oould resist, and no treaty could hind, 
found himself unable to repel the efforts of those ravagers 
who from all quarters invaded him. New swarms of the 
enemy arrived every year upon the coast, and fresh inva* 
sions were still projected. Some of his subjects, therefore, 
left their country, and retired into Wales,* or fled to the 
continent. Others submitted to the conqueror, and purchased 
their lives by their freedom. 2. In this universal defection, 
Alfred vainly attempted to remind them of the duty they 
owed their country and their king; but, finding his remon¬ 
strances ineffectual, he was obliged to give way to the 
wretched necessity of the times. Accordingly, relinquish 
mg the ensigns of his dignity, and dismissing his servants 
he dressed himself in the habit of a peasant, and lived for 
some time in the house of a herdsman, who had been in 
trusted with the care of his cattle. 3. In this manner, though 
abandoned by the world, and fearing an enemy in every 
quarter, still he resolved to continue in his country, to catch 
ihe slightest occasion for bringing it relief. In his solitary 
lelreat, which was in the county of Somerset, at the conflu 
etice of the rivers Parret and Thone, he amused himself with 
mubic, and supported his humble lot with the hopes of bet¬ 
ter fortune. 4. It is said, that one day, being commanded 
by the herdsman’s wife, who was ignorant of his quality, to 
take care of some cakes which were baking by the fire, he 
happened to let them burn, on which she severely upbraided 
him for neglect. 

Previous to his retirement, Alfred had concerted measures 
far assembling a few trusty friends, whenever an opportunity 
should offer of annoying the enemy, who were in possession 
of the whole country. 5. This chosen band, still faithful 

* Wales consists of twelve counties on the west of England, annex 'd to 
thy Edward the First- 



ALFRED THE GREAT. 


25 


to tlicir monarch, took shelter in the forests and marshes of 
Somerset, and from thence made occasional irruptions upon 
straggling parties of the enemy. Their success in this rapa¬ 
cious and dreary method of hving encouraged many more 
to join their society, till at length, sufficiently augmented 
they repaired to their monarch, who had by that time been 
reduced by famine to the last extremity.* 

6. Meanwhile Ubba, the chief of the Danish commanders 
carried terror over the whole land, and now ravaged tli« 
country of Wales without opposition. The only place 
where he found resistance was in his return from the castle 
of Ken with, into which the Earl of Devonshire had retired 
with a small body of troops. 7. This gallant soldier, rind¬ 
ing himself unable to sustain the siege, and knowing the 
danger of surrendering to a perfidious enemy, was resolved, 
by one desperate effort, to sally out and force his way 
through the besiegers, sword in hand. The proposal was 
embraced by all his followers : while the Danes, secure in 
their numbers, and in their contempt of the enemy, were 
not only routed with great slaughter, but Ubba, their gene¬ 
ral, was slain. 

8. T his victory once more restored courage to the dispi¬ 
rited Saxons ; and Alfred, taking advantage of their favour- 

* The life of Alfred is full of the most interesting events. Among mi 
serous anecdotes related of him by the old English historians, the follow¬ 
ing we think worthy of a place in this work, as it affords a striking illustra¬ 
tion of his benevolence, and is a proof of the privations he, in common with 
his trusty adherents, underwent during their seclusion in Somersetshire:—“ ft 
happened one day during the winter, which proved uncommonly severe, 
that he had sent all his attendants out to endeavour to procure fish, or some 
kind of provisions; so difficult was the enterprise esteemed, that the king 
and queen only were excused from the employment. When they were 
gone, the king, as was his custom, whenever he had an opportunity, took a 
book, and began reading, wdnlst Elswitha was employed in her domestic con¬ 
cerns ; they had not long continued thus engaged, before a poor pilgrim, ac¬ 
cidentally passing that way, knocked at the gate, and begged they would 
give him something to eat. The humane king called Elswitha, and desired 
her to give the poor man part of what provision there was in the fort: the 
queen, finding only one loaf, brought it to Alfred, to show how slender tlieii 
store was, at the same time representing the distress the family would labour 
under, should t’nev return from their foraging unsuccessful. The king, not 
deterred bv this scanty view from his charitable purpose, but rather inter- 
Dally rejoicinga*; this tril of his humanity, cheerfully gave the poor Chris¬ 
tian one half of the loaf consoling the queen vyith this religious ret lection, 
‘That tie who could teeu five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, 
could make (if it so pleased him) that half of the loaf suffice tor more than 
(heir necessities.’ When the traveller departed, the king returned to b s 
reading, and felt that satisfaction which most surely results from a beneficent 
action ° Nor was it long unrewarded, for his companions returned with es 
t rreat a quantity of provisions, that they were not exposed to any similar in 
conveniences during their seclusion.” 


26 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


able disposition, prepared to animate them to a vigorous 
exertion of their superiority. He soon, therefore, apprized 
them of the place of his retreat, and instructed them lo be 
ready with all their strength at a minute’s warning. 9. Bui 
still rone was found who would mdertake to give i nielli 
genre of the forces and posture of the enemy. Not know¬ 
ing, therefore, a person in whom he could confide, he un¬ 
dertook this dangerous task himself. In the simple dress 
of a shepherd, with his harp in his hand, he entered the 
Danish camp, tried all his musical arts to please, and was 
so much admired, that he was brought even into the presence 
of G’uthrum, the Danish prince, with whom he remained 
some days. 10. He there remarked the supine security of 
the Danes, their contempt of the English, their negligence 
in foraging and plundering, and their dissolute wasting of 
such ill-gotten booty. Having made his observations, he 
returned to his retreat; and, detaching proper emissaries 
among his subjects, appointed them to meet him in the 
forest of Selwood, a summons which they gladly obeyed. 

11. It was against the most unguarded quarter of the 
/ enemy that Alfred made his most violent attack ; while the 
Danes, surprised to behold an army of English, whom they 
considered as totally subdued, made but a faint resistance. 
Notwithstanding the superiority of their numbers, they 
were routed with great slaughter; and though such as es¬ 
caped lied for refuge into a fortified camp in the neighbour¬ 
hood, being unprovided for a siege, in less than a fortnight 
they were compelled to surrender at discretion. 12. By 
the conqueror’s permission, those who did not choose to 
embrace Christianity embarked for Flanders,* under the 
command of one of their generals, called Hastings. Guth- 
rum, their prince, became A convert, with thirty of his no¬ 
bles, and the king himself answered for him at the font. 

13. Alfred had now attained the meridian of glory ; he 
possessed a greater extent of territory than had ever been 
enjoyed by any of his predecessors; the kings of Wales 
did him homage for their possessions, the Northumbrian.* f 
received a king of his appointing, and no enemy appean d 
to give him the least apprehensions, or excite an alarm 
1 1 In this state ol prosperity and profound tranouillity, 
which lasted for twelve years, Alfred was diligently ein 
ployed in cultivating the arts of peace, and in repairing the 
damages which the kingdom had sustained by war. 

* Now a part ol' the Netherlands. t The mhabianus of Northumberland. 


ALFRED THE GREAT. 


2 ? 

15. His care was to polish the country by arts, as he 
had protected it by arms ; and he is said to have drawn 11 p 
a body of laws.* His care for the encouraueu enl of learn¬ 
ing did not a little tend to improve the morals and restrain 
the barbarous habits of the people. When he came to the 
throne, he found tlte English sunk into the grossest igno 
ranee and barbarism, j roceeding from the continual dis¬ 
orders of the government, and from the ravages of the 
Danes. 10. He himself complains, that, on his accession, 
he knew not one person south of the Thames, who could 
so much as interpret the Latin service.f To remedy this 
deficiency, he invited over the most celebrated scholars 
from all parts of Europe ; be founded, or at least re-esia- 
blished the university of Oxford, and endowed it with many 
p-ivileges; and he gave, in his own example, the strongest 
incentives to study. 17. He usually divided his time into 
three equal portions: one was given to sleep, and the re¬ 
fection of his body, by diet and exercise ; another to the 
despatch of business : and the third to study and devotion.| 
He made a considerable progress in the different studies of 
grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, architecture, and geometry 
He was an excellent historian ; he understood music; he 
was acknowledged to be the best Saxon poet of the age, 
and left many works behind him, some of which remain to 
this day. 18. To give a character of this prince, wou.d 

* Alfred established a regular militia throughout Kngland. and raised a 
considerable, naval (on e, by which means he was enabled to repel the fu 
tore incursions of the Dam s. He afterwards established a regular |>o!ice 
dividing the kingdom into counties, and the counties into hundreds and 
hillings. So well regulated *as ihe jmlice which he established, trial i, a 
said he had golden bracelet.- flung up near the highways, which no robber 
dared to touch Vet be never deviated from the nicest regard to the liberty 
of his people; and there is a remarkable sentiment preserved in his will 
namely, that “ It is just the English should for evei remain as free as then 
own thoughts." 

i So little, indeed, was learning attended to by the great, that Asc.er the 
biographer of Alfred, mentions with astonishment, that the king taught his 
youngest son, Kthelwiird, to read, before he made him acquainted with 
hunting. 

t The piety of Alfred was as conspicuous as his prowess, and in Iho30 
clays of ignorance, he 11 I ghlened by his pen no less than hv his example, 
the people over whom l.e swayed the sceptre. One of his literarv hPioura 
was tne rendering the Holy Gospels into the Saxon tongue, from which w® 
extract the l/ird’s Pr lyer, and insert it here as a specimen of tiie language 
Sj'Kiken by tlie Knglish at that period: 

“ Finder ore thu 'he earth on heafenum.si thin mama getialgod. to ie tr.me 
thin rice, Gevvurfhe hin willa on earthen svva swa on heafemim. urne go 
diegwanlican hlaf svle us to daeg; and forgvf us ure gyltas, svva swa we 
fhgivath urum gyltendum, and no geladde mu us or oonsenung oc al.vse ua 
Of yfle.’ (S’ t svvad— Medulla: li Uoria. Anglicanar 


28 


HISTORY 01-' ENGLAND 


be to sum up those qualities which constitute perfection. 
Even virtues seemingly opposite were happily blended in 
his disposition ; persevering, yet flexible; moderate, yet 
enterprising; just, yet rperciful; stern in command, vet 
gentle in conversation. Nature also, as if desiious that 
such admirable qualities of mind should be set olT to the 
greatest advantage, had bestowed on him all bodily accom¬ 
plishments, vigour, dignity, and an engaging open counte- 
rmce. 19. He died at Oxford, on the 25th of October, 
900, and was buried at Winchester. 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 4.D. 

John VIII. 872 

Martin II. 882 

Adrian III. 884 

Stephen VI. 885 

Formosus. 891 

j Emperors of the East. 
Basilius 1. 867 


Leo VI.886 

Emperors of the West, 
and Kings of France 

Lewis II. 855 

Charles 1. 873 

Charles II. 880 

Arnold. 888 

EMINENT PERSONS. 


AD 

Lewis II1.899 

Kings of Scotland. 


Constantine II... 

.. 863 

Ethus. 

.. 878 

Gregory. 

.. 880 

Donald us VI.. .. 

.. 893 


Oddune, earl of Devon, who killed Hubba the Dane, and took the fnmoiw 
Reafen, or enchanted standard. UI iredus, Trelotegald us, Cel north, Elhelred 
and Plerumbus, were successively archbishops of Canterbury in this reign. 


Questions for Examination . 

I What effect had the continual ravages of the Danes upon the English? 

2, 3. How did Alfred act in this emergency? 

4. What anecdote is related of Alfred during his concealment? 

5. How dii those who still remained faithful to Alfred conduct themselvesi 

6. What nenevolent act is related of this monarch ? (Set the Note.) 

7. What desperate effort did the earl of Devonshire resolve on ? And wh&! 

was the consequence? 

8 What was the advantage gained by Alfred’s courage ? 

9 By what stratagem did Alfred get intelligence of the enemy’s situation? 
10 11. What observations did he make during his stay in the Danish camp 

12 What became of the Danes after their defeat? 

13 What kings paid homage to Alfred ? 

14, 15, 16. How was Alfred employed during the peace? 

17. For what purpose did Alfred divide his time into three equal portions 
And what were his accomplishments ? 

IS What i3 the general character given of Alfred ? 

19. Whert, did A1 free die, and at what place was he burted ? 






















EDWY. 


2 ) 


SECTION III. 

Priest-ridden hy a man 

Ol an nntiiiuiided (stomach, ever ranking 

Hints* If with princes. - Shakspcnre. 

I (A. I). 901.) His second son, Edward,* succeeded 
on the throne. To him succeeded Atlielstan, his nai iral 
son, the illegitimacy of his birth not being then deemed a 
sufficient obstacle to his inheriting the crown. He died at 
Gloucester, after a reign of sixteen years, and was succeeded 
by his brother Edmund, who, like the rest of his predeces¬ 
sors, met with disturbance from the Northumbrians on his 
accession to the throne; but his activity soon defeated their 
attempts. 2. 'The re>en’ment this monarch bore to men of 
in abandoned way of living was the cause of his death, 
lie was killed hy Geoltl a robber, at a feast, where this 
villain had the insolence to intrude into the kind’s presence 
His brother, Edred, was appointed to succeed him ; and. 
like his predecessors, this monarch found himself at the 
oead of a rebellious and refractory people. 8. Edred im- 
olicitlv submitted to the directions of Dunstan the monk, 
poth in church and state ; and the kingdom was in a fair 
way of being turned into a papal province by this zealous 
ecclesiastic ; hut he was checked, in the midst of his career, 
ry the death of the king, who died of a quinsy, in the tenth 
year of his reign.— A. 1). 955. 

4. Edwv, his nephew, who ascended the throne, his own 
sons being yet unfit to govern, was a prince of greai per¬ 
sonal accomplishments, and of a martial disposition But 
he was now come to the government of a kingdom, in which 
he had an enemy to contend with, against whom all military 
virtues could he of little service. 5. Dunstan, who had 
governed during the former reign, was resolved to remit 
nulling of his authority in this; and Edwy, immediately 
upon his accession, found himself involved in a quarrel with 
the monks ; whose rage neither his accomplishments no/ 
his virtues could mitigate. 

0. Among other instances of their cruelty, the following 
is rccoided:—There was a lady of the royal blood, named 
Elgiva, whose beauty had made a strong impression upon 

* Snrnarned Edward the F.Mer, from being the first of that name who sof 
rn the throne of England. lie obtained many victories over die Norlhum 
brian rebel?, built several castles, and fortified different eilies. He .also 
founded trie University of Cambridge, in 915. He is said io have Icon 
nearly e<|iial to lus father in military courage, but greatly inferior to li m ,n 
euental accomplishments, lie reigne.i 24 years. 

c 2 


30 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 



Duusian separating Edwy and Elgiva. 


the young monarch’s heart. He had even ventured to 
marry her contrary to the advice of his counsellors, as siie 
was within the degrees of affinity prohibited by the canon 
law. 7. On the day of his coronation, while his nobility 
were giving a loose to the more noisy pleasures of wine 
and festivity in the great hall, Edwy retired to his wife’s 
apartments, where, in company with her mother, he enjoyed 
the more pleasing satisfaction of her conversation. Dun- 
stan no sooner perceived his absence, than conjecturing the 
reason, he rushed furiously into the apartment, and upbi aid¬ 
ing him with all the bitterness of ecclesiastical rancour 
dragged him forth in the most outrageous manner. 

8. Dunstan, it seems, was not without his enemies, for 
the king was advised to punish this insult by bringing him 
to account for the money with which he had been intrusted 
during the last reign. This account the haughty monk re* 
fused to give in ; wherefore he was deprived of all the ec¬ 
clesiastical and civil emoluments of which he had been m 
possession, and banished the kingdom. 9. His exile only 
served to increase the reputation of his sanctity with the 
people. Among the rest Odo, archbishop of Canterbury * 
was so far transported with the spirit of party, that he m*e 
nounced a divorce between Edwy and Elgiva. The king 
was unable to resist the indignation of the church, and con¬ 
sented to surrender his beautiful wife to its fury. Accord 


* An ancient city of Kent of which county it is the capital. 
















































EDGAR. 


31 

ingly, Odo sent into the palace a party of soldiers, who 
seized the q-ueen, and, by his orders, branded her on the 
face with a hot iron. 10. Not contented with this cruel 
vengeance, they carried her by force into Ireland, and there 
commanded her to remain in perpetual exile. This injunc¬ 
tion, however, was too distressing for that faithful woman 
to compiy with ; for, being cured of her wound, and having 
obliterated the marks which had been made to deface her 
beauty, she once more ventured to return to the king, whom 
she still regarded as her husband. But misfortune continued 
to pursue her. 11. She was taken prisoner by a party 
whom the archbishop had appointed to observe her con¬ 
duct, and was put to death in a most cruel manner: the 
sinews of her limbs being cut, and her body mangled, she 
was thus left to expire in the most cruel agony. In the 
mean time a secret revolt against Edwy became almost ge¬ 
neral ; and Dunstan put himself at the head of the party. 
12. The malecontents at last proceeded to open rebellion ; 
and having placed Edgar, the king’s youngest brother, a 
boy of about thirteen years of age, at their head, they soon 
put him in possession of all the northern parts of the king¬ 
dom. Edwy’s power, and the number of his adherents, 
everv day declining, he was at last obliged to consent to a 
partition of the kingdom ; but his death, which happened 
soon after, freed his enemies from all further inquietude, 
and gave Edgar peaceable possession of the government. 

13. Edgar, being placed on the throne by the influence 
of the monks, affected to be entirely guided by their direc¬ 
tions in all his succeeding transactions. . . 

Little worthy of notice is mentioned of this monarch, 
except his amour with Elfrida, which is of too singular a 
nature to be omitted. 14. Edgar had long heard of the 
beamy of a young lady, whose name was Elfrida, daughter 
to the earl of Devonshire ; but, unwilling to credit common 
fame in this particular, he sent Ethehvald, his favourite 
friend, to see and inform him if Elfrida was, indeed, that 
incomparable woman report had described her. 15. Ethel- 
waid, arriving at the earl’s, had no sooner set his eyes upon 
that nobleman’s daughter, than he became desperately en¬ 
amoured of her himself. Such was the violence of lug 
passion, that, forgetting his master’s intention, he solicited 
only his own interest, and demanded for himself the beau¬ 
tiful Elfrida from her father in marriage. The favourite of 
a king was not likely to find a refusal; the eail gave his 


3 2 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


consent, and the nuptials were performed in private. 19 
Upon his return to court, which was shortly after, he as 
sured the king that riches alone, and her high quality, hac ! 
been the cause of her high fame, and he appeared amazed 
how the world could talk so much and so unjustly of her 
charms. The king was satisfied, and no longer felt any 
curiosity, while Ethelwald secretly triumphed in his ad* 
dress. 17. When he had, by this deceit, weaned the king 
rojn his purpose, he took an opportunity, after some time, 
of turning the conversation on Elfrida, representing that, 
though the fortune of the earl of Devonshire’s daughtei 
would he a trifle to a king, yet it would be an immense ac* 
quismon to a needy subject. He therefore humbly entreated 
permission to pay his addresses to her, as she was the rich* 
est heiress in the kingdom. 18. A request so seemingly 
reasonable was readily complied with ; Ethelwald returned 
to liis wife, and their nuptials were solemnized in public. 
His greatest care, however, was employed in keeping her 
from court; and he took every precaution to prevent her 
from appearing before a king so susceptible of love, while 
she was so capable of inspiring that passion. But it was 
impossible to keep his treachery long concealed. 18. Edgar 
was soon informed of the whole transaction ; but, dissem¬ 
bling his resentment, he took occasion to visit that part of 
trie country where this miracle of beauty was detained, accom 
panied by Ethelwald, who reluctantly attended him thither. 
Upon coming near the lady’s habitation, he told him that he 
had a desire to see his wife, of whom he had formerly heard 
so much, and desired to he introduced as his acquaintance. 
20. Ethelwald, thunderstruck at the proposal, did all in his 
power, hut in vain, to dissuade him. All he could obtain, 
was permission to go before, on pretence of preparing for 
the king’s reception. On his arrival he fell at his wife’s 
feet, confessing what he had done to be possessed of bet 
charms, and conjuring her to >'onceal as much as possible 
her beauty from the king, who was too susceptible of its 
power. 21. Elfrida, little obliged to him for a passion that 
had deprived her of a crown, promised compliance ; but, 
prompted either by vanity or revenge, adorned iier per>on 
with the most exquisite art, and called up all her beautv on 
the occasion. The event answered her expectations ; the 
king no sooner saw, than he loved her, and was inslantly 
resolved to obtain her. 22. The better to effect his inten¬ 
tions, lie c'oncealed his passion from the husband, and took 


EDGAR. 


33 


leave with a seeming indifference ; but his revenge was not 
the less certain and faithful. Ethelwald was some time 
after sent into Northumberland, upon pretence of urgent 
affairs, and was found murdered in the wood by the way. 
23. Some say he was stabbed by the king’s own hand ; 
some that he only commanded the assassination ; however 
this be, Elfrida was invited soon after to court by the king’s 
own order, and their nuptials were performed with the usual 
solemnity. 

This monarch died, after a reign of sixteen years, in the 
thirty-third year of his age, being succeeded by his son 
Edward, whom he had by his first marriage with the 
daughter of the earl of Ordmer.* 


Popes. 

Benedict IV. 

Leo V. 

Sergius III. 

Anastastus III.... 

Lado. 

John X. 

Leo VII. 

Stephen VIII.. .. 

John XI. 

Leo VI..... 

Stephen IX. 

Martin IIi. 

Agapeptus. 

John XII. 

Benedict V. 

John XIII. 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


A.D. 

900 

904 

905 
910 

912 

913 

928 

929 
931 

930 
939 
943 
950 
950 
9f>4 
9G5 


A.D. 

Benedict VI. 972 

Donius II. 972 

Emperors of the East. 

Leo VI. 886 

Constantine Porphy- 

rogrnitns. 910 

Roman us the young¬ 
er. 959 

Nieephorus. 963 

Zenrisces. 970 

Emperors of the West. 

Lewis III. 899 

Conrade 1. 912 

Henry 1. 919 


A.D. 

Othol. 936 

Otholl. 973 

Kings of Frajice. 
Charles III... . .. 899 

Lewis IV. 936 

Lothaire 1. 954 

Kings of Scotland. 
Constantine III.... 909 

Malcolm 1. 942 

Indulphus. 958 

Duffits. 907 

Culenus.. 972 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

In the reign of Edward: Ethelfrida, sister of Edward the Elder, n grea' 
warrior, and very instrumental in assisting to gain her brother’s victories 
Atholme, archbishop of Canterbury.— In the reign of Athelstan: Guy, ear 
of Warwick, who is said to have killed the Danish giant Colbrand, in single 
combat, at Winchester, and performed many other extraordinary actions 
TerketyL a successful warrior, an abbot of Crovland, and chancellor of Eng¬ 
land. Wolston, archbishop «f Canterbury.— In the reign oj Ed red: Dun 
stan, abbot of Glastonbury. Odo, archbishop of Canterbury.— In the reign 
of Edgar: Dunstan and Elsius, archbishops of Canterbury. 


* Until the reign of Edgar, England was much infested with woivea 
The king, however, was indefatigable in hunting and destroying them: hut 
finding that those which escaped took sheher in the mountains an* forests 
of Waks, he changed the tribute of money imposed on that country into an 
annual tribute of 300 wolves’ heads: this produced such ddigence in bunt¬ 
ing them, that their extirpation was soon effected. 









































84 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


Questions for Examination 

^■ vVlirtf was the cause of Edward’s death? and who eusucceeded him ! 
^ To whose direction did Edrcd submit? 

4 Who succeeded Edred . 
fi. Whom did Edwy marry? 

7. What happened on the day of his coronation ? 

8. On what account was Dunstan banished the kingdom « 

9. Bv whose orders was the queen seized ? 

4 Who was Elfrida, and whom did Edgar send to her? 
flow did Ethelwaid perform his mission? 

If>, 17, 18. K’elaie what followed. 

19 flow did the king act on hearing the whole transaction? 

20 What did Eiheluald request ol his wife ? 

21 What was the result of her non-compliance? 

22 How did Ethelwald die? 

23 flow long did Edgar reign ? and by whom was he succeeded ? 


SECTION IV. 

Cot off even in the blossom of my ■sin, 

T T nh inset <1, iinaiMinied. iiniianeiilM, 

No iftck’nina made, but sent to my account 
With all my imperfections on iny head. — Shaksmare 

I. (A. D. 975.) Edward, siirnamed the Martyr, was 
made kin£ bv the interest of the monks, and lived out four 
years after his accession. In this reign there is nothing 
remarkable »f we except his tragical and memorable end. 

2. Hunting one day near Oorfe Castle, where Elfrida, his 
mother-in-law, resided, he thought it his duty to pay her a 
visit, although he was not attended by any of his retinue. 
There desiring some liquor to be brought him, as he was 
thirsty, while he was yet holding the cup to his head, one 
of Elftida’s domestics, instructed for that purpose, stabbed 
him in the back. The king, finding himself wounded, put 
spurs to his horse; but fainting with the loss of blood, lie 
fell from the saddle, and his foot sticking in the stirrup, he 
was dragged along by his horse till he died. 

3. Ethelred the Second, siirnamed the Unready, the son 
of Edgar and Elfrida, succeeded; a weak and irresolute 
monarch, incapable of governing the kingdom, or providing 
for its safety. During his reign, the old and terrible ene¬ 
mies, the Danes, who seemed not to be loaded with the 
same accumulation of vice and folly as the English, were 
daily gaining ground. 4. The weakness and inexperience 
of Ethelred appeared to give a favourable opportunity foi 
renewing their depredations ; and accordingly, they landed 
on several parts of the coast, spreading their usual tenor 
ana devastation. A. D 981. 



CANUTE 


35 


As they lived indiscriminately among the English, 
resolution was taken for a general massacre ; and Ethelred, 
by a policy incident to weak princes, embraced the cruel 
resolution ot putting them all to the sword. 5. This plot 
was'carried on with such secrecy, that it was executed in 
one day, and all the Danes in England were destroyed 
without mercy. But this massacre, so perfidious in the 
contriving, and so cruel in the execution, instead of ending 
the long miseries of the people, only prepared the way for 
greater calamities. 

6. While the English were yet congratulating each other 
upon their late deliverance from an inveterate enemy 
Sweyn, king of Denmark, who had been informed of their 
treacherous cruelties, appeared off’ the western coasts with 
a large fleet, meditating slaughter, and furious with revenge. 
Ethelred was obliged to fly into Normandy, and the whole 
country thus came under the power of Sweyn, his vic¬ 
torious rival. 

7. Canute, afterwards surnamed the Great, succeeded 
Sweyn as king of Denmark, and also as general of the 
Danish forces in England. The contest between him and 
Edmund Ironside, successor to Ethelred, was managed with 
great obstinacy and perseverance : the first battle that was 
fought appeared indecisive; a second followed, in which 
the Danes were victorious; but Edmund still having inter¬ 
est enough to bring a third army into the field, the Danish 
and English nobility, equally harassed by these convulsions, 
obliged their kings to come to a compromise, and to divide 
the kingdom between them by treaty.* 8>. Canute reserved 
to himself the northern parts of the kingdom; the southern 
oarts were left to Edmund ; but this prince being murdered 
about a month after the treaty, by his two chamberlains at 
Oxford, Canute was left in peaceable possession of the 
whole kingdom. A. D. 1017. 

Canute! is represented, by some historians, as one of (he 
first characters in those barbarous ages. The piety of the 

* In the nattle which was fought at Athelney, Edmund, perceiving Canute 
a? tin? nead of his forces, rode off from his own, and Canute advancing, u 
furious rombat ensued, in which (according to the author of die MiJuUe 
hi* tori at Anelicanat) Canute was wounded, and first proposed forbearance 
and this, it is said, led to I fie division of the kingdom. By Canute’s accession 
to the throne, a termination was put to a war with the Danes, wind) Lad 
almost without intermission, raged for 200 years. 

* In the latter part of his life, to atone for his many acts of violence, he 
ouili churches, endowed monasteries, imported relics, and made a pilgrimago 
to Bt me- 


36 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


latter part of his life, and the resolute valour of the former 
were topics that filled the mouths of his courtiers with flat 
tery and praise 9. They even affected to think his power 
uncontrollable, and that all things would be obedient to his 
command. Canute, sensible of their adulation, is said to 
have taken the following method to reprove them. Ilf 
ordered his chair to be set on the sea-shore while the tide was 
coining in, and commanded the sea to retire. 10. “ Thou 
art under my dominion,” cried he, “the land upon which 1 
sit is mine ; I charge thee, therefore, to approach no farther, 
nor dare to wet the feet of thy sovereign.” He feigned to 
sit some time in expectation of submission, till the waves 
began to surround him, then turning to his courtiers, he 
observed, That the titles of Lord and Master belonged only 
to Him whom both earth and seas were ready to obey. 

11. Thus feared and respected, he lived many years, ho¬ 
noured with the surname of Great for his power, but de¬ 
serving it still more for his virtues. He died at Shaftes¬ 
bury,* in the nineteenth year of his reign, leaving behind 
him three sons, Sweyn, Harold, and Hardicanute. Sweyn 
was crowned king of Norway, Hardicanute was put in pos¬ 
session of Denmark, and Harold succeeded his father on 
the English throne. A. D. 1036. 

12. To Harold succeeded his brother, Hardicanute 
whose title was readily acknowledged both by the Danes 
and the English ; and, upon his arrival from the continent, 
he was received with the most extravagant demonstrations 
of joy. This king’s violent and unjust government was of 
but short duration. He died two years after his accession 
in consequence of excess at the marriage of a Danish loid 
which was celebrated at Lambeth. 

13. The disorders of the Danish monarchs once more 
induced the English to place a monarch of the Saxon line 
upon the throne, and accordingly Edward, surnamed the 
Confessor, was by the general consent crowned king 
A. D. 1041. 

The English, who had long groaned under a foreign yoke, 
now set no bounds to their joy, at finding the line of their 
ancient monarchs restored. 

14. As he had been bred in the Norman court, he showed, 
in every instance, a predilection for the customs, laws, ami 
even the natives of that country ; and, among the rest of 
his faults, though he married Editha, the daughter of God 

* A market town in Dorsetshire. 


HAROI.D. 


37 


inn, vet either from mistaken piety, or fixed aversion, during 
his whole reign lie abstained from her society !* 

15. Thus having no legitimate issue, and being wholly 
engrossed, during the continuance of a long reign, with the 
visions o! superstition, he was at last surprised bv sickness, 
which brought him to his end, on the 5th of January, in the 
sixty-fifth year of his age, and twenty-fifth of his reign. 

Id. Harold, the son of a popular nobleman, whose name 
was Godwin, and whose virtues seemed to give a rijrht to 
his pretensions, ascended the throne without any opposition. 
But neither his valour, his justice, nor his popularity were 
able to secure him from the misfortunes attendant upon an 
ill-grounded title. IIis pretensions were opposed by Wil¬ 
liam duke of Normandy, who insisted that the crown be¬ 
longed of right to him, it being bequeathed to him by Edward 
the Confessor.f 


Questions for Examination. 

1. By whose interest was Edward the Martyr crowned king? 

2 Relate the circumstances attending the king’s death. 

3. Who succeeded Edward? 

4. What was the conduct of the Danes during Ethelred’s reign? 

5 What method did Ethelred take to destroy the Danes? 

6. What was the consequence of Ethelred’s perfidy? 

7. By whom was Svveyn succeeded ? 

9. Did Canute reprove his courtiers for their flattery ? 

10 Repeat the words Canute made use of on this occasion. 

II. Where did Canute die? and what issue did he leave’ 

13. Whom did the English place on the throne upor the death of Hardica- 

mite ? 

14. Where had Edward the Confessor been bred ? and what predilections 

had he in consequence ? , 

15 How long did Edward reign ? 

16 What were the pretensions of William duke of JNormandy to the English 

throne ? 


SECTION V. 

Ah ! who can tell the horrors of that day 
When Harold fell on the ensanguined field , 

Where rank 'stainst rank rushed on. in dread army 
With j^v’lin, arrow, battle-axe. and shield.— Rrown. 

1. (A. D. 1006.) William, who whs afterwards called the 
Conqueror, was natural son of Robert, duke of Normandy 
His mother’s name was Arlette, a beautiful maid of Falaise; 
whom Robert fell in love with as she stood gazing at the 
door, while lie passed through the town. William, who was 

* Tins contributed to gain him the title of Saint and Confessor, 
t Edward the Confessor converted a small monastery into the beautiful 
cathedral called Westminster Abbey, where he built his own sepulchre 
and which, until very lately, has been the usual burial place of the English 
monarchs 

n 







38 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


the offspring of this amour, owed a part of his greatness tc 
his birth, but still more to his own personal merit. 2. His 
body was vigorous, his mind capacious and noble, and his 
courage not to be repressed by apparent danger. Upon 
coining to his dukedom of Normandy, though yet very 
young, he on all sides opposed his rebellious subjects, and 
repressed foreign invaders, while his valour ane conduct 
prevailed in every action. 3. The tranquillity which he 
had thus established in his dominions induced him to extend 
his views ; and some overtures made by Edward the Con¬ 
fessor, in the latter part of his reign, who was wavering in 
the choice ot successor, inflamed his ambition with a de¬ 
sire of succeeding to the English throne. 4. The pope 
himself was not behind the rest in favouring his pretensions, 
and, either influenced by the apparent justice of his claims, 
or by the hopes of extending the authority of the church, he 
immediately pronounced Harold an usurper. With such 
favourable incentives, William soon found himself at the 
head of a chosen army of sixty thousand men, all equipped 
in the most warlike and splendid manner. 5. It was in the 
beginning of summer that he embarked this powerful body 
on board a fleet of three hundred sail ; and, after some small 
opposition from the weather, landed at Pevenscy,* on the 
coast of Sussex, with resolute tranquillity. 

6. Harold, who seemed resolved to defend his right to 
the crown, and retain that sovereignty which he had received 
from the people, who only had a right to bestow it, was now 
returning, flushed with conquest, from defeating the Nor¬ 
wegians, who had invaded the kingdom, with all the forces 
lie had employed in that expedition, and all he could invite 
or collect in the country through which he passed. His 
army was composed of active and valiant troops, in high 
spirits, strongly attached to their king, and eager to engage. 

7. On the other hand, the army of William consisted of 
the flower of the continent, and had long been inured to 
danger. The men of Britanny, Boulogne, Flanders, Poictou, 
Maine, Orleans, France, and Normandy, were all voluntarily 
united under his command. England never before, norevei 
since, saw two such armies drawn up to dispute its crown. 

8. 'Fhe day before the'buttle, William sent an offer to 
Harold to decide the quarrel between them by single combat, 
and thus to spare the blood of thousands: but Harold re¬ 
fused, and said he would leave it to the God of armies to 
determine. Both armies, therefore, that night pitched in 

* A smaJi town in Sussex. 


HAROLD. 


39 


sight of each other, expecting the dawning of the day with 
impatience The English passed the night in songs and 
, feasting; the Normans in devotion and prayer. 

(Oct. 13, 1006.) 9. 'The next morning, at seven, as soon 
as day appeared, both armies were drawn up in array against 
each other. Harold appeared in the centre of his forces, 
leading on his army on foot, that his men might be more 
encouraged, by seeing their king exposed to an equality of 
danger. William fought on horseback, leading on his army, 
that moved at once, singing the songs of Roland, one of the 
famous chiefs of their country. 10. The Normans began 
to fight with their cross-bows, which, at first, galled and 
surprised the English ; and, as their ranks were close, their 
arrows did great ex cution. But soon they came to closer 
nght, and the English with their bills hewed down their 
adversaries with great slaughter. Confusion was spreading 
among the ranks, when William, who found himself on the 
brink of destruction, hastened with a select band to the 
relief of his forces. 11. Mis presence restored the suspense 
of battle; he was seen in every place, endeavouring to 
pierce the ranks of the enemy, and had three horses slain 
under him. At length, perceiving that the English continued 
impenetrable, he pretended to give ground, which, as he 
expected, drew the enemy from their ranks, and he was 
instantly ready to take advantage of their disorder. 12. Upon 
a signal given, the Normans immediately returned to the 
charge with greater fury than before, broke the English 
troops, and pursued them to a rising ground., It was in this 
evtreinity that Harold was seen flying from rank to rank, 
rallying and inspiring his troops with vigour; and though 
he had toiled all day, till near night-fall, in front of his 
Kentish men, yet he still seemed unabated in force or cou¬ 
rage, keeping his men to the post of honour. 

13. Once more, therefore, the victory seemed to turn 
against the Normans, and they fell in great numbers, so 
(hat the fierceness and obstinacy of this memorable battle 
was often renewed by the courage of the leaders, whenever 
that of the soldiers began to slacken. Fortune at length de« 
termined a victory that valour was unable to decide. 

14. Harold, making a furious onset at the head of his 
troops against the Norman heavy armed infantry, was shot 
into the brains by an arrow : and his two valiant brothers, 
fighting by his side, shared the same fate. He fell with his 
sword in his hand, amidst heaps of slain ; and after the tat- 


40 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


tie, the royal corpse could hardly be distinguished among 
the dead.* 

This was the end of the Saxon monarchy in England 
which had continued for more than six hundred years. 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. A. o. 

eredict VII. 975 

ohnXIV. 984 

ohr. XV. 985 

Gregory V. 99G 

Silvester II. .A* Q 

John XVI. 1003 

John XVII.. 1004 

Sergius iV. 1009 

Benedict VIII. 1012 

John XVIII. 1024 

Benedict IX. 1033 

Gregory VI. 1044 

Clement II. 1^46 

Damascus II. 1048 

Leo IX. 1049 

Victor II. 1055 

Stephen X. 1057 

Nicholas II. 1059 

Alexander II. 1001 


Emperors tf the East. 


AO. 

Basilius II. 975 

Constantine X. 1025 

Romanos ill. 1028 

Michael IV. 1034 

Michael V. 1041 

Constantine XL... 1042 
Theodore (emp.)... 1054 

Michael VI. 1056 

Isaac Comnetius... 1059 
Constantine XII... 1059 

Emperors of the West. 

Olho II. 973 

OiholII. 983 

Henry II. 1002 

Conrad II. 1024 

Henry III. 1039 

Henry IV'. 1056 


EMINENT PERSONS. 


Kings of France. 


ad 

Lothaire 1. 954 

Louis V. 986 

Hugh Capet. 98" 

Robert II. 997 

Henry 1. 1031 

Philip 1. 1060 


Kings of Scotland. 

Culenus. 972 

Kenneth III. 977 

Constantine IV.... 1002 

Grim i is. 1005 

Malcolm II. 1054 

Duncan 1. 1031 

Macbeth. 1040 

Malcolm III. 1057 


In the reigns of Edward the Martyr, Ethtired II. and Edmund: the duke 
of Mercia, who took part with Elfrida and the clergy, against the king. 
Dunstan, Ethelgar, Elfric, Siricius, Alphage, and Livingus, archbishops of 
Canterbury.— In the reigns of Canute, Harold, Hardirantt'e, and Eduard the 
Confessor: EJnothus, Edsine, and Robert, archbishops of Canterbury. God 
;vin, earl of Kent, whose estates being afterwards swallowed by inundations 
of the sea. are now denominated the Goodwin Sands.— In the reign oj Harold 
II.. Leofwin and Gnrf, brothers to the king. Stigand, archbishop ol Canter 
bury. Tosti, earl of Northumberland. 


Qtiesfinns for Examination . 

1 Who was William the Conqueror? 

5. When and where did William land ? 

5.7. Of what were the armies of Harold and William composed ? 

8 How did the two armies pass the night previous to the battle ? 

9 In what way did Harold and William lead their respective armies to 

battle ? 

11 12.13. Describe the conduct of William and Harold. 

11. How did Harold fall ? 

How long did the Faxon monarchy continue in England? 

* The English in this battle neither used the long-how nor cross-bow, but 
both were used by the Normans. The English forces were nearly all in 
&ntr v -, while by far the greater part of the Norman army was conqtosed of 
uavalry. It is therefore probable, that to the want of cavalry, and the not 
using any missive weapons, may he in a great measure attributed the defeat 
of Hamid's army. Certain it is, that the victory remained undecided Iron, 
nine in the morning till the close of the day, when the death of the king who 
and siain ni my Normans with his own hand, finally turned the scale. 





















































WILLIAM T1IR CONQUEROR. 


41 



CHAPTER IV 
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. 

Born J024 Died Sept. 9th, 1087. Regan to reign Dec. 25th, 10G6. Reigned 

21 years. 


William the Conq'ipmr receiving the crown of England. 

\ furiou* victor’s partial will prevailed, 

All prostrate lay; and, in the seCr.-l shade, s 

Deep stung but fearful indignation gnash <| 

His teeth- Thornton. 

1. (A. I). 1060.) As soon as William passed the Tahir;cs 
at Wallingford, Stigand, the primate, made submission to 
riim in the name of the clergy : and before he came within 
sight of the city, all the chief nobility came into his camp, 
and declared their intention of yielding to his authority. 
William was glad of being peaceably put in possession ot a 
throne which several of his predecessors had not gained 
without repeated victories. 

2. But, iu order to give his invasion all the sanction pos¬ 
sible, he was crowned at Westminster by the archbishop 
of York, and took the oath usual in the times of the Saxon 
and Danish kings; which was, to protect and defend tie 
church, to observe the laws of the realm, and to govern the 
people with impartiality. Having thus secured the govern¬ 
ment, and by a mixture of rigour and lenity, brought the 
English to an entire submission, lie resolved to return to the 
continent, there to enjoy the triumph and congratulations 
ol his ancient subjects. 

D 2 
























HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


42 

3. In the mean time the absence ot the Conqueror in 
England produced the most fatal elfects. 11 is officers, being 
no longer controlled by his justice, thought this a fit oppor¬ 
tunity for extortion ; while the English, no longer awed by 
his presence, thought it the happiest occasion for vindicating 
their freedom. 

4. The English had entered into a conspiracy to cut <r,fl 
heir invaders, and fixed the dav for their intended massa- 
ere, which was to be on Ash-Wednesday, during the time 
of divine service, when ail the Normans would he unarmed 
as penitents, according to the discipline of the times. But 
William’s return quickly disconcerted all their schemes : and 
from that time forward he began to lose all confidence in his 
English subjects, and to regard them as inveterate and ir¬ 
reconcilable enemies. 5. He had already raised such a 
number of fortresses in the kingdom, that he no longer 
dreaded the tumultuous or transient efforts of a disconcerted 
multitude ; he therefore determined to treat them as a con¬ 
quered nation;* to indulge his own avarice, and that of his 
followers, by numerous confiscations : and to secure his 
power by humbling all who were able to make any lesist- 
ance. 6. He proceeded to confiscate all the estates of the 
English gentry, and to grant them liberally to his Norman 
followers. Thus all the ancient and honourable families 
were reduced to beggary, and the English found themselves 
entirely excluded from every road that led either to honour 
or preferment. 

7. To keep the clergy as much as possible in his inter 
ests, he appointee none but his own countrymen to the 
most considerable church dignities, and even displaced Sti- 
gand, archbishop e f Canterbury, upon some frivolous pre¬ 
tences. 

William having crushed several conspiracies, and by 
punishing the malecontents, thus secured the peace of his 
dominions, now expected rest from his labours ; and, find- 

* So mercilessly did he treat the people whom he had conquered, and so 
determined was he to incapacitate them from luture resistance to his power, 
tmtonthe Northumbrians having revolted, in 1070, he gave orders to lay 
waste the fine fertile lands between the rivers Humber and Tees, for the ex 
twit of sixty miles. Many flourishing towns, fine villages, and noble country 
seats were accordingly burnt down ; the implements jf husbandry destroyed 
and the cattle driven away. 'Hie great lord Lytileton. speaking of three 
cruel devastations, and those occasioned by the “ Forest laws,” observes tha 
Atrila did no more deserve the name of the “Scourge of God ’ than this 
merciless tyrant, nor did he, nor any other destroyer of nations, make more 
havoc in an enemy's country than William did in his own. 


WILLIAM TIIE CONQUEROR. 


43 


ipg none either willing or powerful enough to oppose him, 
he hoped that the end of his reign would be marked with 
prosperity and peace. 8. But such is the blindness of 
Human hope, that he found enemies where he east expected 
them : and such, too, as served to imbitter all the latter pari of 
his life. His last troubles were excited by his own children, 
from the opposing of whom he could expect to reap neither 
glory nor gain. He had three sons, Robert, William, and 
Henry, besides several daughters. 9. Robert, his eldest son 
surnamed (hirthose from' the shortness of his legs, was a 
prince who inherited all the bravery of his family and nation 
but was rather bold than prudent: and was often heard to 
express his jealousy of his two brothers, William and Henry 
'These by greater assiduity, had wrought upon the cre¬ 
dulity and affections of the king, and consequently were the 
more obnoxious to Robert. 10. A mind, therefore, so well 
prepared for resentment soon found or made cause for an 
open rupture. 'The princes were one day in sport together, 
and, in the idle petulance of play, took it in their heads to 
throw water over their elder brother as he passed through the 
court, on leaving their apartment. Robert, all alive to sus¬ 
picion, quickly turned this frolic into studied indignity: and 
having these jealousies further inflamed by one of bis favour 
ites, he drew his sword, and ran up stairs, with intent to 
take revenge. 11. The whole castle was quickly filled 
with tumult, and it was not without some difficulty that the 
king himself was able to appease it. But he could not allay 
the animosity which, from that moment, ever after prevailed 
n his family. Robert, attended by several of his confederates, 
withdrew to Rouen that very night, hoping to surprise the 
castle, but his design was defeated by tbe governor. 

12. 'The flame being thus kindled, the popular character of 
the prince, and a sympathy of manners, engaged all the young 
nobility of Normandy and Maine, as well as Anjou and Brit- 
tanny, to espouse his quarrel; even his mother, it is said sup¬ 
ported him by secret remittances, and aided him in this ob¬ 
stinate resistance l>> private encouragement. This unnatural 
contest continued for several years to inflame the Norman 
state, and William was at last obliged to have recourse to 
England, for supporting his authority against his son. 19 
Accordingly, drawing an army of Englishmen together, he 
led them over to Normandy, where he soon compelled 
Robert and his adherents to quit the held, and he was quickly 
reinstated in all his dominions.* 

in ona <>t 'hr Imttles between the forces of William and his son Pobcr- 


44 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


William had scarcely put. an end to this transaction, when 
he felt a very severe blow m the death of Matilda, his queen: 
arid in addition to this domestic calamity, he received infer 
mation of a general insurrection in the Norman government. 

14. Upon his arrival on the continent, he found that the 
insurgents had been secretly assisted and excited by the king 
of France, whose policy consisted in thus lessening the Nor* 
nian power, by creating dissensions among the nobles of its 
different provinces. William’s displeasure was not a little 
incieased by the account he received of some railleries which 
that monarch had thrown out against him. This so pro¬ 
voked the English monarch, that he sent him word, that 
he should soon set the kingdom of France in a flame. 

15 In order to perform this promise, he levied a strong 
army,and, entering the isle of France, destroyed and burned 
all the villages and houses without opposition, and took the 
town of Mantua, which he reduced to ashes. But the pro¬ 
gress of these hostilities was stopped by an accident, which 
shortly after put an end to William’s life. 

His horse chancing to place his fore-foot on some hot 
ashes, plunged' so violently, that the rider was thrown for 
ward, and bruised upon the pommel of the saddle to such a 
degree, that he suffered a relapse, of which he died, shortly 
alter, at. a little village near Rouen.—Sept. 9,1087.* 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS 


Popes. 

Alexander II... 
Gregory VII... 
Victor III. 


A.D. | 
10011 
10731 
1086 


Romanus IV. 
Michael VII. 
Nicephoros I 
Alexis I. 


A.D. 

1063 

1071 

1078 

1081 


jE mperors of the East. 
Constantine XII... 1059 


Emperor of the West 
Henry IV. 1056 


King of France. 

A.D 

Philip 1. 1060 

Kings of Scotland. 

Malcolm III. 1059 

Donald VIII. 1068 


the latter happened to engage the king, whose face was concealed by hib 
helmet, and, both of them being valiant, a fierce combat ensued, till the young 
prince wounded his father in the arm, arid unhorsed him. On his calling out 
for assistance, his voice discovered him to his son, who, struck with remorse, 
threw himself at his father’s leet, and craved pardon lor his ollence; but Wil¬ 
liam, who was highly exasperated, gave him his malediction. He was how 
ever,afterwards, rec onciled to him.and on his return to England, Robert was 
Btmccssfully employed in retaliating an invasion of Malcolm, king of Scotland 
* In this reign justices of the pe ace were first appointed in England 
The Tower of London was built. A general survey of all the lands of die 
kingdom made, their value, proprietors, quality of the soil, Ac. and entered 
in a register, called Doomsday-book, which is still preserved in the exche¬ 
quer, and is considered the most valuable monument of antiquity possessed 
by any nation. The curfew (or cover fire) hell established, at w hich signal 
oil fires and candles were arbitrarily extinguished at eighl o'clock in the* 
y veiling 
















WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR. 


45 


EMINENT PERSONS 

Pnr.fP Edgar Atheling. Stigaru! and Lanfranc, archbishopa of Canterbury 
Eiivvui uud Morcar, earls of Northumberland and Mercia. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 In what manner was William received by the nobility and clergy ? 

2 Where and by whom was he crowned ? 

4 What conspiracy did the English enter into? 

5 In what way did William determine to treat his English subjects? 

6. 7. What measures did he adopt to degrade the English? 

9 What were the troubles which afflicted William? 

1C 11. What frolic was it that led to the serious consequences that followed ! 
12 Who espoused Robert’s cause ? 

13. What happened in one of the engagements between the forces of ihw 

king and his son ? (See the tide.) 

14. What inducement had the king of France to assist the insurgents? 

15. What caused William’s death 1 

What valuable ancient record is preserved in the exchequer, and what 
was its uue / (See the note.) 


CHAPTER V. 

WILLIAM RUFUS. 

Born 1060. Died August 2d, 1100. Began to reign Sept 9th, 1087. Reigned 

»2J years 

And that Rod Kme, who while of old 
Through BoMrewood the (hnse lie led, 

By his loved huntsman’s arrow hied —fViilter Scc't. 

1. (A. D. 108T.) William, surnamed Rufus, from the 
colour of his hair, was appointed, by the king’s will, his 
successor, while the elder son, Robert, was left in posses¬ 
sion of Normandy. Nevertheless, the Norman barons 
were from the beginning displeased at the division of the 
empire by the late king: they eagerly desired a union as 
before, and looked upon Robert as the proper owner of ths 
whole. A powerful conspiracy was therefore carried on 
against William; and Odo, the late king’s brother, under¬ 
took to conduct it to maturity. 

2. William, sensible of the danger that threatened h : m, 
endeavoured to gain the affections of the native English, 
whom he prevailed upon by promises of future good treat 




46 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


ment. and preference in the distribution of his favours, to 
Espouse his interests. 3. Me was soon, therefore, in the 
neld : and, at the head of a numerous army, showed him* 
self in readiness to oppose all who should dispute his pre¬ 
tensions. In the mean time Robert, instead of employing 
himself in levies, to support his friends in England, squan¬ 
dered his resources away in idle expenses and unmerited 
benefits, so that he procrastinated his departure till the op¬ 
portunity was lost: while William exerted himself with 
incredible activity to dissipate the confederacy hetore his 
brother could arrive. 4. Nor was this difficult to effect 
the conspirators had, in consequence of Robert’s assurances 
taken possession of some fortresses; but the appearance 
of the king soon reduced them to implore his mercy. Me 
granted them their lives ; but confiscated all their estates 
and banished them tire kingdom. 

5. A new breach was made some time after between the 
brothers, on which Rufus found means to encroach still 
farther upon Robert’s possessions. Every conspiracy thus 
detected served to enrich the king, who took care to apply 
to liis own use those treasures which had been amassed for 
the purpose of dethroning him. 

6 (A. I). 1097.) B't the memory of these transient 
broils and unsuccessful treasons, was now totally eclipsed 
by one of the most noted enterprises that ever adorned the 
annals of nations, or excited the attention of mankind : 1 
mean the crusades, which were now first projected. Peter 
the Hermit, a native of Amiens, in Picardy, was a man of 
great zeal, courage, and piety. 7. He had made a pilgrin age 
to the holy sepulchre at Jerusalem, and beheld, with ind.g- 
nation, the cruel manner in which the Christians were 
treated by the infidels, who were in possession of that place. 

He preached the crusade over Europe, by the pope's 
permission, and men of all ranks flew to arms with the 
utmost alacrity to rescue the Holy Hand from the infidels, 
and each boie the sign of the cross upon his right shoulder, 
as a mark of their devotion to the cause. 8. In the midst' 
of the universal ardour that was diffused over Europe, men 
were not entirely forgetful of thtir temporal interests ; for 
some, hoping for a more magnificent settlement in the soit 
regions of Asia, sold their European property for whatever 
they could obtain, contented with receiving any thing for 
what tney were predetermined to relinquish. 9. Among 
the princes who felt and acknowledged this general spirit 


WILLIAM RUTUS. 


47 


of enterprise, was Robert duke of Normandy. The cru¬ 
sade was entirely adapted to his inclinations and his circum¬ 
stances ; he was brave, zealous, covetous of glory, poor, 
harassed by insurrections, and what was more than all, ua- 
*urally fond of change. In order, therefore, to supply money 
to defray the necessary charges of so expensive an under¬ 
taking, he offered to mortgage his dukedom in Normandy 
to his brother Rufus for a stipulated sum of money. 10 
This sum, which was no greater than ten thousand marks 
w as readily promised by Rufus, whose ambition was upon 
die watch to seize every advantage. 

But though the cession of Maine and Normandy greaily 
increased the king’s territories, they added but little to his 
real power, and his new subjects were composed of men 
of independent spirits, more ready to dispute than to obey 
his commands. 11. Many were the revolts and insurrec¬ 
tions wnich he was obliged to quell in person ; and no 
sooner was one conspiracy suppressed, than another rose to 
give him disquietude. 

However, ltufus proceeded, careless of approbation or 
censure ; and continued to extend his dominions, either by 
purchase or conquest. 12. The earl of Roictiers and 
Guienne, inflamed with the desire of going upon the cm* 
sane. Lad gatheied an immense multitude for that expedi¬ 
tion, out wanteu money to forward his preparations. He 
had recourse, therefore, to Rufus, and offered to mortgage 
all his dominions, without much considering what would 
become of his unhappy subjects that he thus disposed of. 

13. 'Rlie king accepted this offer with his usual avidity 
and had prepared a fleet and an army, in order to take pos¬ 
session of the rich provinces thus consigned to his trust. 
But an accident put an end to all his ambitious projects? 
he was shot by an arrow that Sir Walter Tyrrel* discharged 
at a deer in the New Forest, which, glancing from a tree,* 
struck the king »o the heart. 14. lie dropped dead instan 
taneously; while the innocent author of his death, terrified 

* A French gentleman, remarkable for his skill in archery. 

1 It is a no less interesting historical fact, than a botanical curiosity 
abundantly proving the longevity of the oak. that this celebrated tree is now 
standing, though in the last stage of decay, near Mai wood Castle, in the 
eeore of the New Forest. It was first paled round by an order oft Charles II 

The rampart which surrounds the Tower of London, and Westminster 
hall, are the principal monuments which remain of Rufus’s reign At the 
time of h.s death he was forty-two years of age, and had reigned thir'c-en. 


48 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


at the accident, put spurs to his horse, hastened to the sea 
shore, embarked for France, and joined the crusade that 
was then setting out for Jerusalem. 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes 


ad. 

l'ctor III. 1086 

Urban II. Iu88 

Pascal II. 1099 


Emperors of the East. 

ad. 

Alexis 1. 1081 

Emperor of the West. 
Henry IV. 1056 


King of France. 

AT 

Philip 1. 106C 

Kni" of Scotland. 
DonaJd Vlll. 106 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

L mfranc and Anselm, archbishops of Canterbury. Odo, bishop of Bayeuif 
Flumlard, bishop of Durham. 


Questions for Examination. 

I Who succeeded William the Conqueror? 

2. By what means did Rufus induce the English to support his interest? 

3 How did Robert employ his money? 

5 What wins the conduct of the lung on the detection of consp acies 
against him ? 

7 Relate the origin ot the crusades. 

9 What is the character of the duke of Normandy ? 

12 Who offered to mortgage his dominions to Rufus ? 

13 What caused the death of Rufus ? 














HENRY T. 


4V 


CHAPTER VI. 


HENRY I. 

Burn 1008. Died Dec gd J135. Be«an to reign August 5ttt 1100. Reigned 

35 years. 

but who shall teach my harp to gam 

A sound of that romantic strain ; 

VVho*e Anglo-Norman tones whilere. 

Cou / win the royal Henry’s ear. — Dibdin- 

1. (A. D. 1100.) Henry, surnamed Beauclerc,* tint 
late king’s younger brother, who had been hunting in the 
New Forest when Rufus was slain, took the earliest ad¬ 
vantage of the occasion, and hastening to Winchester, re¬ 
solved to secure the royal treasures, which he knew to be 
the best assistant in seconding his aims. The barons, as 
well as the people, acquiesced in a claim which they were 
unprovided to resist, and yielded obedience, from the fear 
of immediate danger. 

2. Henry, to ingratiate himself with the people, expelled 
from court all the minister’s of his brothers debauchery and 
arbitrary power. One thing only remained to confirm his 
claims without danger of a rival. The English remembered 
the Saxon monarchs with gratitude, and beheld them ex¬ 
cluded the throne with regret. 3. There still remained 
some of the descendants of that favourite line ; and amongst 
others, Matilda, the niece of Edgar Atheling ; which lady, 
having declined all pretensions to royalty, was bred in a 
convent, and had actually taken the veil. > 4. Upon her 
Henry first fixed his eyes as a proper consort, by whose 
means the long breach between the Saxon and Norman in¬ 
terest would be finally united. It only remained to get over 
the scruple of her being a nun; but this a council devoted 
to his interests readily admitted, and Matilda being pro¬ 
nounced free to marry, the nuptials were celebrated with 
great pomp and solemnity.! 

5. It was at this unfavourable juncture that Robert re¬ 
turned from abroad; and, after taking possession of hia 

* “Henry was called ‘Beauclerc,’ from his attention to learning; he had 
heard his father say, that ‘ Illiterate kings were little better than crowned 
at»ses,’ and determined not to come tinder that description ”— Camden. 

t Queen Matilda was the delight of the English, both on account of her 
recent and goodness of heart. To her we owe the first stone arched bridges 
England ever possessed: she built two at Stratford, in Essex, (thence called 
Oe Arcuhus, or Le Bow), where she had nearly been drowned for wan of 
such a convenience. 

E 


GO 


HISTORY OF ENCLATVU. 


native dominions, laid his claim to the crown of England, 
But proposals for an accommodation being made, it was 
stipulated that Robert, upon the payment of a certain sum, 
should resign his pretensions to England ; and that, il 
either of the princes died without issue, the other should 
succeed to his dominions. This treaty being rati tied, the 
armies on each side were disbanded: and Robert, having 
lived two months in the utmost harmony with his brother, 
returned in peace to his own dominions. 

*>. But Robert’s indiscretion soon rendered him unfit to 
govern any state ; he was totally averse to business, and 
oidy studious of the more splendid amusements or enjoy- 
rneuts of life. 11 is servants pillaged him without compunc¬ 
tion ; and he is described as lying whole days in bed for 
want of clothes, of which they had robbed him. 7. His 
subjects were treated still more deplorably; for, being undei 
the command of petty and rapacious tyrants, who plundered 
them without mercy, the whole country was become a scene 
of violence and depredation. It was in this miserable exi¬ 
gence that the Normans at length had recourse to Henry, 
from whose wise administration of his own dominions, they 
expected a similitude of prosperity, should he take the 
reins of theirs. 8. Henry very readilv promised to re¬ 
dress their grievances, as he knew it would he the direct 
method to second his own ambition. The year ensuing, 
therefore, he landed in Normandy with a strong army, took 
possession of the principal towns; and a battle ensuing. 
Robert’s forces were totally overthrown, and he himseli 
taken prisoner, with nearly ten thousand of his men, and 
all the considerable barons who had adhered to his misfor¬ 
tunes. 9. 'Ehis victory w^as followed by the final reduction 
of Normandy, while Henry returned in triumph to England,- 
leading with him his captive brother, who, after a life of 
bravery, generosity, and truth, now found himself deprived 
not only of his patrimony and friends, but also his freedom. 
Henry, unmindful of his brother’s former magnanimity with 
regard to him, detained him a prisoner during the remainder 
of his lile, which was no less than twenty-eight years ; and 
he died in the castle of Cardiff, Glamorganshire. 10. It 
is even said by some, that he was deprived ol his sight by 
a red-hot copper basin applied to his eyes ; wlnie his hrotner 
attempted to stifle the reproaches of his conscience, by 
founding the abbey of Reading, which was then considered 
a sufficient -110001116111 for every degree of barbarity. 







HENRY l. 


51 


11 Fortune now seemed to smile upon TIenrv. and pro 
mise a long succession of felicity. He was in peaceable 
possession of two powerful states, and had a son, who was 
acknowledged h*s undisputed heir, arrived at his eighteenth 
year, whom he loved most tenderly. His daughter Matilda 
was also married to the emperor Henry V. of Germany, 
and she had been sent to that court, while yet but eight years 
old. for her education. 12. Ail his prospects, however 
were at once clouded by unforeseen misfortunes, and acci. 
dents, which tinctured his remaining years with misery, 
rite king, from the facility with which he usurped the 
crown, dreading that his family might be subverted with 
the same ease, took care to have his son recognized as his 
successor by the states of England, and carried him over to 
Normandy, to receive the homage of the barons of that 
duchy. 13. After performing this requisite ceremony, 
Henry, returning triumphantly to England, brought with 
him a numerous retinue of the chief nobility, who seemed 
to share in his success. In one of the vessels of the lleet, 
his son and several young noblemen, the companions of his 
pleasui )s, went together, to render the passage more agree¬ 
able. The king set sail from Harfleur,* and was soon 
carried by a fair wind out of sight of land. 14. The prince 
was detained by some accident: and his sailors, as well as 
their captain, Fitz-Stephen, having spent the interval in 
drinking, became so disordered, that they ran the ship upon 
a rock, and immediately it was dashed to pieces. The 
prince was put into the boat and might have escaped, had 
he not been called back by the cries of Maude, his natural 
sister. He was at first conveyed out of danger himself, but 
coidd not leave a person so dear to perish without an effort 
to save her. He, therefore, prevailed upon the sailors to row 
Dack and take her in. 15. The approach of the boat giving 
several others, who had been left upon the wreck, the hopes 
of saving their lives, numbers leaped in, and the whole 
went to the bottom. About a hundred and forty young 
noblemen, of the principal families of England and Nor¬ 
mandy. were lost on this occasion. A butcher of Itouen 
was the only person on board who escaped ; he clung to 
the mast, and was taken up the next morning hy some fish¬ 
ermen. Id. Fitz-Stephen, the captain, while the butcher 
was thus buffeting the waves for his life, swam up to him 
md enquired if the prince was yet living ; when being told 
• A town of Normandy in France 





HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


b2 

that he had perished, “ then I will not outlive h,m/ said 
the captain, and immediately sunk to the bottom. The 
shrieks of these unfortunate people were heard from the 
shore, and the noise even reached the king’s ship, but the 
cause was then unknown. 17. Henry entertained hopes, 
for three days, that his son had put into some distant port 
in England ; but when certain intelligence of the calamity 
Was brought to him he fainted away, and was never seen to 
mile from that moment till the day of his death, which 
.oliowed some time aftei at St. Dennis, a little town in Nor¬ 
mandy, from eating too plentifully of lampreys, a dish lie 
was particularly fond of. He died in the sixty-seventh 
year of his age, and the thirty-tifth of his reign, leaving by 
will his daughtei Matilda heiress of all his dominions. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. On the death of Kufus, what was the conduct of Henry ’ 

2. What method did Henry take to ingratiate himself in his subjects’ la 

vour ? 

4. To whom was Henry married ? 

5. Was there any other claimant to the crown of England ? 

6. 7. What was the conduct ol Robert at this time, and to whnt disaotere 

did it lead ? 

9. In what way was the captive Robert treated by his brother ? 

11. What was the situation of Henry at this time ? 

12. For what purpose did Henry carry his son to Normandy? 

15. Relate the fatal accident that belel many of the nobility 
17. What was the cause of the king’s death ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. A D. 

Pascal II. 1099 

Gelastius II. 1118 

C&lixtos II. 1119 

Honorius II. 1124 

Innocent II. 1130 

Emperors of the East. 

Alexis 1. 1081 


A.D. 

John Comnenus... 1118 

Emperors of the West. 

Henry IV. 1056 

Henry V ... 1106 

Lotharius. 1125 

Kings of France. 
Philip 1. 1060 

EMINENT PERSONS. 


A.D. 

Louis VI. 1108 


Kings of Scotland. 


Donald VIII.... 


Edgar. 


Alexander. 


David. 

... 1124 


Anselm an<* Radulph, archbishops of Canterbury. William Crito, son of 
loke Robert of Normandy. Robert earl of Shrewsbury. Tho Empress 
Maliliia.* 


* She was the only daughter and surviving legitimate child of Henry 
ehe was married to Ilenry V. emperor of Germany, but having become a 
widow in the year 1126, she returned to her father’s court, and continued to 
receive the honorary tale of empress. In the following year Ilenrv, while 






















STEPHEN 


53 


CHAPTER VII. 

STEPHEN 

Born JJ04 Died Oct. 25th, 1154. Recan to reign Dec. 2Gth .1135. Rtigusd 

IHj years. 

Contr-ndine armies now for empire fieht, 

And civil war distracts Rr tannin's isle; 

M itilda now asserts her regal right,— 
r Ni'» dauntless Stephen’s cause is seen to smile. 

Thus mad ambition prompts to desperate deeds. 

And, for a phantom, thus a nation bleeds. — JWncdomla 

l ;A. D. 1135.) No sooner was the king known to be 
(had, than Stephen, son of Adela, the king’s sister, and the 
count ot Blois,* conscious of his own power and inriuer.ee, 
resolved to secure himself the possession of what he so long 
desired. lie speedily hastened from Normandy, and ar¬ 
riving at London, was immediately saluted king by all the 
lower ranks of people. 2. Being thus secure of the peo¬ 
ple, his next step was to gain over the clergy ; and, for that 
purpose, his brother, the bishop of Winchester, exerted all 
his influence among them with great success.! Thus was 
Stephen made king by one of those speedy revolutions 
which ever mark the barbarity of a state in which they are 
customary. 

3. The first acts of an usurper are always popular. Ste 
phen, in order to secure his tottering throne, passed a chai 
ter, granting several privileges to the iiiTerent orders of the 
state :—To the nobility a permission to hunt in their own 
forests ; to the clergy, a speedy rilling of all vacant bene¬ 
fices; and, to the people, a restoration of the laws of Ed¬ 
ward the Confessor. To fix himself still more securely, 
he took possession of the royal treasures at Winchester, 
and had his title ratified by the pope with a part of the 
money. 

4. It was not lontr, however, that Matilda delaxed assert- 

o •' 

ing her claim to the crown. She landed upon the coast of 

n Normandy, became attached to Geoflry Martel, the young count of Anjou 
who had changed his name to Hlantagenel, from his custom of wcaruit: ii 
his helmet a bunch of flowering broom (/./ anfe-tlr-pmet) instead of a plume 
not content with becoming his god fa her in chivalry, the king resolved dint 
Mntiida should receive the young count of Anjou as her second husband 
Hus marriage was contracted without the consent of the estates of the teaintt 
yf England and Normandy; being therefore deemed illegal, it allorded Ste¬ 
phen a pretext for usurping the throne.— Wi/hum uj iMalmesbury. 

* A city m France. 

i “Stephen was a man of great facetiousness, and much of his success is 
tu he imputed to the familiir pleasantry of his on vernation.’ — William 0 J 
Malmesbury 

E 2 


54 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Sussex, assisted by Robert earl of Gloucester, mtural sou 
of the late king. 'The whole of Matilda’s retinue, upon 
this occasion, amounted to no more than one hundred and 
forty knights, who immediately took possession ol Arundel 
castle : but the nature of her claim soon increased the num¬ 
ber of her partisans, and her forces every day seemed tc 
gain ground upon those of her antagonist. 5. Mean time 
Stephen being assured of her arrival, flew to besiege Arun¬ 
del, where she had taken refuge, and wltere she was pro¬ 
tected by the queen dowager, who secretly favoured her 
pretensions. This fortress was too feeble to promise a long 
defence ; and would have soon been taken had it not been 
represented to the king that, as it was a castle belonging to 
the queen dowager, it would be an infringement on the re¬ 
spect due to her to attempt taking it by force 

6 . There was a spirit of generosity mixed with the rude¬ 
ness of the times that unaccountably prevailed in many 
transactions. Stephen permitted Matilda to come forth in 
safety, and had her conveyed with security to Bristol, 
another fortress equally strong with that from which he 
permitted her to retire. 7. It would be tedious to relate the 
various skirmishes on either side, in pursuance of their re 
spective pretensions ; it will suffice to say that Matilda’s 
forces increased every day, while her antagonist seemed 
every hour to become weaker : and a victory gained by the 
queen threw Stephen from the throne into a prison, and 
exalted Matilda in his room. Matilda was crowned at 
Winchester with all imaginable solemnity. 

8 . Matilda, however, was unfit for government. She 
affected to treat the nobility with a degree of disdain to 
which they had long been unaccustomed ; so that the fickle 
nation once more began to pity their deposed king, and 
repent the steps they had taken in her favour. The bishop 
of Winchester was not remiss in fomenting these discon- 
tents ; and when he found the people ripe for a tumult, 
detached a party of his friends and vassals to block up the 
-lity of London, where the queen then resided. 9. At the 
same time measures were taken to instigate the Londoners 
o a revolt, and to seize iier person. Matilda, having timely 
notice of this conspiracy, fled to Winchester, whither the 
bishop, still her secret enemy, followed her, watching an 
opportunity to ruin her cause. His party was soon suf 
iiciently strong to bid the queen open defiance, and to be 
siege her in the very olace where she first received his 


STEPHEN. 55 



Imprisonment of king Stephen. 


benediction. 10. There she continued for some time ; but 
the town being pressed by a famine, she was obliged to 
escape ; while her brother, the earl of Gloucester, endea¬ 
vouring to follow, was taken prisoner, and exchanged for 
Stephen, who still continued a captive. Thus a sudden 
revolution once more took place ; Matilda was deposed, and 
obliged to seek for safety in Oxford. Stephen was again 
recognized as the king, and taken from his dungeon to be 
replaced on the throne. 

11 . But he was now to enter the lists with a new op- 
poser, who was every day coming to maturity, and growing 
more formidable. This was Henry, the son of Matilda, 
who had now reached his sixteenth year; and gave the 
greatest hopes of being one day a valiant leader and a con¬ 
summate politician. 

12 . With the wishes of the people in his favour, young 
Henrv was resolved to claim his hereditary kingdom, and 
to dispute once more Stephen’s usurped pretensions ; he ac¬ 
cordingly made an invasion on England, where he was im¬ 
mediately joined by almost all the barons of the kingdom. 

13. In the mean time, Stephen, alarmed at the power 
and popularity of his young rival, tried every method to 
anticipate the purpose of an invasion ; hut finding it im¬ 
possible to turn the torrent, he was obliged to have recourse 
to treaty. It was, therefore, agreed, by all parties, that 
Stephen should reign during his life; and that iustice should 
































56 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


be administered in his name: that Henry eiionld, on Ste 
plum’s death, succeed to the kingdom ; and William, Ste¬ 
phen’s son, should inherit Boulogne and his patrimonial 
estate. 14. After all the barons had sworn to this treaty, 
which filled the whole kingdom with joy, Henry evacuated 
England; and Stephen returned to the peaceful enjoyment 
of his throne. His reign, however, was soon after termin- 
ttied by his death, which happened about a year after the 
treaty, at Canterbury, where he was interred. 


Questions for Examination . 

1 \Y.ho succeeded Ilpnry the first ? 

2 What measures were taken lo secure the throne? 

3. Whai were the first acts of Stephen ? 

4. Was there no opposition to Stephen ? 

6. Wlmt was Stephen's conduct towards Matilda? 

7. Did Matilda succeed in recovering the throne ? 

8 Had Matilda’s conduct any serious consequences? 

I. 3 Whither did Matilda flee for safety ? 

In what manner did she escape? 

II. Had Stephen any new opposer? 

12. Who joined Henry when he invaded England ? 

13. Of what nature was the treaty between the two parties? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. a.d. 

Celestine II. 1143 

Lucius II. 1144 

E genius III. 1145 

Anastasias IV. 1153 

Adrian IV. 1154 


Emperors of the East. 
John Cotrfnenus.... 1118 


A.n. 

Man. Comnenus... 1143 
Emperors of the West. 


Lothaire II. 1125 

Conrad III. 1138 

Frederic 1. 1152 


Kings oj France. 

> p 

Louis VI.1108 

Louis VII. US'! 

King of Scotland. 

David 1. 1124 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

John of Salisbury, Henry of Huntingdon, Roger de Iloveden, GeofTrev of 
Monmouth, (historians.) Curboil and Theobald, archbishops of Canterbury 
Thurston, archbishop of York, and lieutenant to the king who appointed 
Ralph, bishop of Durham, his general against the Scots Robert, Earl of 
Gloucester, Ranulph, earl of Chester. 
















HENRY II. 


57 


CHAPTER VIII. 

HENRY IT 

Bora 1'.32 Died July fith 1189. Regan to reign Dec. 8th, 1154.* Reigned 

34J years. 

SECTION I. 

With thee, Plantagenet, from civil broil* 

The land awhile respited, and all was peace; 

Then Beckct rose, and impotent of mind. 

Rid murd’rous priests the sov’reign frown contemn. 

And. with unhallow’d Crozier, bruised the crown.— S hen stone. 

I. (A. 1). 1155.) The first act of Henry’s government 
gave the people a happy omen of his future wise adminis¬ 
tration. Conscious of his power, he began to correct those 
abuses, and to resume those privileges, which had been 
extorted from the weakness or the credulity of his pre¬ 
decessors. He immediately dismissed those mercenary 
soldiers w ho committed infinite disorders in the nation 
2. He resumed many of those benefactions which had been 
made to churches and monasteries in the former reigns. 
He gave charters to several towns, by which the citizens 
claimed iheir freedom and privileges, independent of any 
superior but himself. These charters were the ground¬ 
work of English liberty. The struggles which had before 
this time been, whether the king, or the barons, or the 
clergy, should be despotic over the people, now began to 
assume a new aspect; and a fourth order, namely, that of 
the more opulent of the people, began to claim a share in 
administration. Thus was the feudal government first 
impaired; and liberty began to be more equally diffused 
throughout the nation. 

4 . Henry being thus become the most powerful prince 
of his age, the undisputed monarch of England, possessed 
of more than a third of France, and having humbled the 
barons that would circumscribe his power, be might na¬ 
turally be expected to reign with very little opposiiiun for 
the future. But it happened otherwise. He found the 
seveiest mortifications from a quarter where he least ex 
peetod resistance. 

5 The famous Thomas a Becket, the first man of Eng 
tish extraction who had, since the Norman conquest, risen 
to <»ay share of power, was the son of a citizen of London. 

* fie was on the continent at the time of Stephen’s death, and tne 
commencement of his reign is dated from the day of his landing in England 


\ 

58 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

Having received nis early education in the schools of that 
metropolis, he resided some time at Paris; and, on his 
return, became clerk in the sheriff’s office. From that 
nuinble station he rose, through the gradations of office, 
until at last he was made archbishop of Canterbury—a 
dignity second only to that of the king.* 

0 . No sooner was he fixed in this high station, which 

tendered him for life the second person in the kingdom, 

than he endeavoured to retrieve the character of sanctity 

• 

which his former levities might have appeared to oppose 
He was in his person the most mortified man that could be 
seen. He wore sackcloth next his skin. He changed it 
so seldom, that it was filled with dirt and vermin. His 
usual diet was bread; his drink water, which lie rendered 
farther unpalatable, by the mixture of unsavory herbs. 
7. His back was mangled with frequent discipline. He 
every day washed on his knees the feet of thirteen beggars. 
Thus pretending to sanctity, he set up for being a defender 
of the privileges of the clergy, which had for a long time 
been enormous, and which it was Henry’s aim to abridge. 

8 . An opportunity soon offered, and gave him a popular 
pretext for beginning his intended reformation. A man in 
holy orders had debauched the daughter of a gentleman in 
Worcestershire ; and then murdered the father to prevent 

* The parentage of this extraordinary man was truly romantic. His fa¬ 
ther, (filbert Beck,or Beeket, while serving as a private sold.-r in Palestine, 
was taken prisoner by a Saracen chief He had the good fortune to engage 
the affections of his master’s daughter, and by her aid made his escape. She 
soon after took the-desperate resolution of quitting her home and country in 
search of' the object of her love, and though the only two words of any 
western language which she knew were London and (}i/bf>rt, set out for 
Europe. By the aid of the former word she secured a passage on board an 
English vessel; and when she was landed on the hanks of the Thames, she 
ran from street to street, calling out the latter name, until chance brought hey 
into the presence of Gilbert himself The strangeness of the event e: citca 
universal attention, and the young Saracen, after being baptized l.y the 
Christian name of Matilda, became the wife of Gilbert Beeket. Thomas 
was their eldest son, and was educated in all the learning and aeiomplish 
merits of the age. He was in early life taken under the patronage of Thibaut, 
or Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, and bv the favour of that prelate 
was permitted to enjoy indulgences which the Nerman conquerors had pro 
hibited to all of Saxon descent. During the reign of Stephen, Beckr t and his 
patron were warm supporters of Henry’s claim to the English crown, and in 
consequence he was rewarded at the commencement of the new reign with 
the high office of chancellor of England. In this situation he was distin 
guished bv Ins zeal in defence of the roval prerogative, and by the extrava 
gunt pomf an<I luxury of his establishment. Henry believing that the 
companion of his games, his wars, and even his debaucheries Would be 
subservient to his desires of limiting the power of the church, elevated 
Be' ket to t.io see of Canterbury, hut found too late that he had Ally given 
to only see a zealous champion, and to himself a dangerous antagonist 


HENRY II. 


59 


the effects of his resentment. The atr ociousness of the 
srimc produced a spirit of indignation among the people; 
and the king insisted that the assassin should be tried bv 
the civil magistrate. This Becket opposed, alleging the 
privileges of the church. 

9. In order to deteimine this matter, the kino - summoned 
a general council of the nobility and prelates at Clarendon, 
to whom he submitted this great and important affair, and 
desired their concurrence. These councils seem at that 
time convened rather to give authenticity to the king’s de 
crees, than to enact laws that were to bind their posterity. 
A number of regulations were then drawn up, which were 
afterwards well known under the title of the Constitutions 
of Clarendon, and were then voted without opposition. 

10. By these regulations it was enacted, that clergymen 
accused of any crime should be tried in the civil courts ; 
that laymen should not be tried in the spiritual courts, ex 
cept by legal and reputable witnesses. These, with some 
others of less consequence, or implied in the above, to the 
number of sixteen, were readily subscribed to by all the 
bishops present: Becket himself, who at first showed some 
reluctance, added his name to the number. But Alexander, 
who was then pope, condemned them in the strongest 
terms ; abrogated, annulled, and rejected them. 

li. This produced a contest between the king and 
Becket, who, having attained the highest honours the 
monarch could bestow, took part with his holiness. In the 
midst of this dispute, Becket, with an intrepidity peculiar 
to himself, arraying himself in his episcopal vestments, 
and with the cross in his hand, went forward to the king’s 
palace, and, entering the royal apartments, sat down, hold¬ 
ing UD hi* cross as his banner of protection. 12. 'There 
he put himself, in the most solemn manner, under the pro* 
teetion of the supreme pontiff; and, upon receiving a re¬ 
fusal of permission to leave the kingdom, he secretly with¬ 
drew in disguise, and at last found means to cross over to 
the continent. 

The intrepidity of Becket, joined to his apparent sanc- 
tity, gained him a favourable reception upon the continent 
both from the people and the governors. 

13. The pope and he were not remiss to retort their ful- 
minatiens, and to shake the very foundation of the king’s 
authoritv. Becket, compared himself to Christ, who had 
be:n condemned by a lay tribunal, and ,vho was crucified 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


<10 

anew in die present oppressions, under which tne church 
laboured. 15ur he did not rest in complaints only. 14. He 
issued out a censure, excommunicating the king’s chief 
ministers by name, all that were concerned in sequestering 
the revenues of his see. and all who obeyed or favoured the 
constitutions of Clarendon, 

Frequent attempts indeed were made towards an accom¬ 
modation ; but the mutual jealousies which each bore the 
other, and their anxiety not to lose the least advantage in 
the negociation, often protracted this desirable treaty. 


Questions for Examination . 

1 What were the first acts of Henry’s power? 

2 What was the ground-work of English liberty ? 

4 Describe the possessions of Henry at this time. 

5. Who was Thomas a Becket ? 

How diil he rise to be archbishop of Canterbury? 

6 What w as the character and manner of life of Becket ? 

9. What proceeding took place at the council of Clarendon 

10. What were these regulations ? 

11, 12. Describe Becket’s conduct in the king’s palace. 

13. To whom did Becket compare himself? and why? 

14. How did Becket act? 


SECTION II. 

Still most that toneue some wounding message bring, 

And still thy priestly pride provoke thy king.— Pope- 

1. (A. D. 1170.) At length, however, the mutual aim 
of both made a reconciliation necessary ; but nothing could 
exceed the insolence with which Becket conducted himself 
upon his first landing in England. Instead of retiring 
quietly to his diocese, with that modesty which became a 
man just pardoned by ltis king, lie made a progress through 
Kent, in all the splendour and magnificence of a sovereign 
pontiff. 2. As he approached Southwark, the clergy, the 
laity, men of all ranks and ages, came forth to meet him, 
and celebrated his triumphal entry with hymns of joy. 
Thus confident of the voice and hearts of the people, he 
began to launch forth his thunders against those who had 
been his former opposers. The archbishop of York, who 
had crowned Henry’s eldest son in his abserce, was the 
first against whom he denounced sentence of suspension. 
3. The bishops of London and Salisbury he actually ex 
communicated. One man he excommunicated for ha\ ing 
spoken against him; and another for having cut ufl’ the 
tail of one of his horses. 




61 


HENRY II. 



Death of Thomas a Becket. 


Henry was then in Normandy, while the primate was 
thus triumphantly parading through the kingdom ; and it 
was not without the utmost indignation that he received 
information of his turbulent insolence. 4. When the sus¬ 
pended and excommunicated prelates arrived with their 
complaints, his anger knew no hounds. He broke forth 
into the most acrimonious expressions against that arrogant 
churchman, whom he had raised from the low r est station to 
be the plague of his life, and the continual disturber of his 
government. The archbishop of York remarked to him. 
that so long as Becket lived, he could never expect to enjoy 
peace or tranquillity: and the king himself burst out into 
an exclamation, that he had no friends about him, or he 
would not so long have been exposed to the insults of that 
ungrateful hypocrite.* 5. These words excited the atten¬ 
tion of the whole court, and armed four of his resolute 
attendants to gratify their monarch’s secret inclinations. 
The conspirators being joined by some assistance at the 
place of their meeting, proceeded to Canterbury with all 
that haste their bloody intentions required. 6. Advancing 


* The words made use of by the king on this occasion are said to be as 
fallow:—“ ‘ Is there not one of the crew of lazy, cowardly knights, whom I 
maintain, that will rid me of this turbulent priest, who came to court but 
t’other day on u lame horse, with nothing but his wallet behind him?’ 'Phis 
speech unfortunately animated to action Reginald Fitzurse, William de 
Tracy, Hugh de Morvil and Richard Brito.”— Beriiiglon's Life vj Bhunn* 
a Becket. 

F 







































62 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


directlv to Becket’s house, and entering - his apartment, they 
reproached him very fiercely for the rashness and insolence 
of hi'-' conduct. During the altercation, tne time approached 
for Bucket to assist at vespers, whither he went unguarded, 
the conspirators following, and preparing for their attempt. 

7. As soon as he reached the altar, where it is ^jst to think 
he aspired to the glory ol martyrdom, they all fell upon 
him; and having cloven his head with repeated blows, he 
dropped down dead before the altar of St. Benedict,* which 
was besmeared with his blood and brains. 

8 . Nothing could exceed the king’s consternation upon 
receiving the first news of this prelate’s catastrophe. He 
was instantly sensible that the murder would be ultimately 
imputed to him : and at length, in order to divert the minds 
of the people to a different object, he undertook an expedi¬ 
tion to Ireland. A. I). 1172. 

9 . Ireland was at that time in pretty much the same 
situation that England had been after the first invasion of 
the Saxons. They had been early converted to Christianity, 
and for three or four centuries after possessed a very large 
proportion of the learning of the times. Being undisturbed 
by foreign invasions, and perhaps too poor to invite the ra¬ 
pacity of conquerors, they enjoyed a peaceful life, which 
they gave up to piety, and such learning as was then thought 
necessary to promote it. 10. Of their learning, their ans, 
their piety, and even their polished manners, too many 
monuments remain to this day for us to make the least 
doubt concerning them ; but it is equally true, that in time 
they fell from these advantages; their degenerate posterity, 
at the period we are now speaking of, were wrapped in tin 
darkest barbarity. 

11. At the time when Henry first planned the invasion 
ot the island, it was divided into five principalities ; namely, 
Leinster, Meath, Munster, Ulster, and Connaught ; each 
governed by its respective monarch. As it had been usual 
for one or other of those to take the lead in the wars, he 
was denominated sole monarch of the kingdom, and pos¬ 
sessed of power resembling that of the early Saxon mo* 
narchs in England. Roderic O’Connor, king of Connaught, 
was then advanced to this dignity, and Dermot M'Moriough 
was king of Leinster. 12. This last-named prince, a weak, 
licentious tyrant, had carried off the daughter of the king of 

* St. Benedict, the founder of the religious order which hears his name 
wue Dorn in Jtaly about the year 480. and early embraced a solitary life 



HENRY II. 


G3 


Meath, who, being strengthened by the alliance of the king 
of Connaught, invaded Dermot’s dominions, and expelled 
him from his kingdom The prince, thus justly punished, 
had recourse to Henry, who was at that time in Guienne; 
and offeied to hold his kingdom of the English crown, in 
case he recovered it by the king’s assistance. 13. Henry 
readily accepted the offer; but being at that time embarraa* 
sed by more near interests, he only gave Dermot letters pa¬ 
tent, by which he empowered all his subjects to aid the Irish 
prince in the recovery of his dominions. Dermot, rely mg 
on this authority, relumed to Bristol, where, after some dif¬ 
ficulty, he formed a treaty with Richard, surnamed Strong- 
bow, earl of Pembroke, who agreed to reinstate him in his 
dominions, upon condition of his being married to his 
daughter Eva, and declared heir of all his territory. 14. 
Being thus assured of assistance, he returned privately to 
Ireland, and conci aled himself during the winter in the 
monastery of Ferns, which he had founded. Robert Fitz- 
stephens was the first knight who was able, in the ensuing 
spring, to fulfil his engagements, by landing with a hundred 
and thirty knights, sixty esquires, and three hundred arch 
ers. 15. They were soon after joined by Maurice Pender- 
g-ast, who, about the same time, brought over ten knights and 
sixty archers ; and with this small body of forces they re 
solved on beseiging Wexford, which was to be theirs by 
treaty. The town was quickly reduced ; and the adven 
turers being reinforced by another body of men to the amount 
of a hundred and fifty, under the command of Maurice Fitz¬ 
gerald, composed an army that struck the barbarous natives 
with awe. 16. Roderic, the chief monarch of the island, 
ventured to oppose them, but he was defeated ; and soon 
after the prince of Ossory was obliged to submit, and give 
hostages for his future conduct. 

17. Dermot being thus reinstated in his hereditary do* 
minions, soon began to conceive hopes of extending the limits 
of his power, and making himself master of Ireland. With 
these views he endeavoured to expedite Strongbow, who, 
being personally prohibited by the king, was not yet come 
over. Dermot tried to inflame l)is ambition by the glory of 
the. conquest, and his avarice by the advantages it would 
procure. lie expatiated on the cowardice of the natives, 
and the certainty of his success. 18. Strongbow first sent 
ov r er Raymond, one of his retinue, with ten knights and 
seventy archers ; and receiving permission shortly aftei for 


64 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


himself, he landed with two hundred horse and a hundred 
archers All these English forces, now joining together, 
became irresistible ; and though the whole number did not 
amount to a thousand, yet such was the barbarous state of 
the natives, that they were everywhere put to the rout. The 
city of Waterford quickly surrendered; Dublin was taken 
by assault; and Strongbow soon after marrying Eva, accord* 
ing to treaty, became master of the kingdom of Leinster 
upon Dermot’s decease. 

19. The island being thus in a manner wholly subdued 
for nothing was capable of opposing the further progress of 
the English arms, Henry became willing 10 share in person 
those honours which the adventurers had already secured. 
20 . He, therefore* shortly after landed in Ireland, at the 
head of five hundred knights and some soldiers ; not so 
much to conquer a disputed territory, as to take possession 
of a kingdom. Thus, after a trifling effort, in which very 
little money was expended, and little blood shed, that beau¬ 
tiful island became, as it stills continues to be, an appendage 
to the British crown. 


Questions for Examination , 

2, 3. How did Beeket conduct himself on his return to England ? 

4. In what manner did Henry receive the complaints of Becket’s insolence 

5. 6 What was the consequence of Henry’s resentment? 

7. By what means did Henry divert the minds of the people? 

9, 10. What was the situation of Ireland at this time? 

11. By whom was it governed ? 

12. What occasioned the interference of Henry? 

13. What followed this interference? 

15. What further means were takjn to subdue Ireland ? 

18. What was the success of the English on their invading Ireland? 

20. For what purpose did Henry go to Ireland ? 


SECTION III. 

A maid unmntch’d in manners as in face. 

Skill’d in each art. and crown’d wiih every grace. — Pope. 

1 . (A.D. 1173.) The joy which this conquest diffused 
was very great; but troubles of a domestic nature served to 
render the remainder of Henry’s life a scene of turbulence 
and disquietude. 

Young Harry, the king’s eldest son, was taught to believe 
himself injured, when, upon being crowned as partner in 
the kingdom, he was not admitted into a share of tlit admi¬ 
nistration. 2. His discontents were shared by his brothers 
Geoffrey and Richard, whom the queen persuaded to assert 




HENRY II 


Go 



Henry 11. od bis pilgrimage to Canterbury. 


their t’tles to the territories assigned them. Queen Eleanor 
herself was meditating an escape to the court of France, 
w hither her sons had retired, and had put on man’s apparel 
for that purpose, when she was seized by the king’s order 
ind put in confinement. 3. Thus Henry saw all his long 
perspective of future happiness totally clouded ; his sons 
scarcely yet arrived at manhood, eager to share the spoils of 
their father’s possessions ; his queen warmly encouraging 
these undutiful princes in their rebellion ; and many poten¬ 
tates of Europe not ashamed to lend them assistance to sup¬ 
port ihese pretensions. 

4. It was not long before the young princes had sufficient 
influence upon the continent to raise a powerful confederacy 
in their favour. Henry, therefore, knowing the influence of 
superstition over the minds of the peopie, and perhaps ap¬ 
prehensive that a part of his troubles arose from the displea 
sure of heaven, resolved to do penance at the shrine of' St. 
Thomas, at Canterbury, for that was the name given to 
Beeket upon his canonization. As soon as he came within 
sight of the church of Canterbury, alighting from his horse 
he walked barefoot towards the town, and prostrated himself 
before the shrine* of the saint. Next day he received abso 
{ution; and, departing for London, was acquainted with the 

* Hero he was scourged bv the monks, am passed the whole day and night 
fasting on tho bare stones 

F '2 








































66 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

agreeable news of a victory over the Scots, obtained on the 
very day of his absolution. 

5. From that time Henry’s affairs began to wear a bettei 
aspect: the barons, who had revolted, or were preparing foi 
a revolt, made instant submission ; they delivered up theii 
castles to the victor; and England, in a few weeks, was re¬ 
stored to perfect tranquillity. 6. Young Henry, who was 
eady to embark with a large army, to second the efforts of 
he English insurgents, finding all disturbances quieted at 
home, abandoned all thoughts of the expedition. This 
prince died soon after, in the twenty-sixth year of his age 
of a fever, at Martel, not without the deepest remorse for 
his undutiful conduct towards his father. 

7. As this prince left no posterity, Richard was become 
heir it. nis room ; and he soon discovered the same ardent 
ambition tnat had misled his elder brother. A crusade hav- 
ing been once more projected, Richard, who had long wished 
to have all the glory of such an expedition to himself, and 
who could not bear to have even his father a partner in his 
victories, entered into a confederacy with the king of France, 
who promised to confirm him in those wishes at which he 
so ardently aspired. 8. By this, Henry found himself 
obliged to give up all hopes of taking the cross, and com¬ 
pelled to enter upon a war with France and his eldest son, 
who were unnaturally leagued against him. 

9. x4t last, however, a treaty was concluded, in which he 
was obliged to submit to many mortifying concessions : but 
still more so, wiien, upon demanding a list of the barons 
that it was stipulated he should pardon, he found his son 
John, his favourite child, among the number. He had long 
borne an infirm state of body with calm resignation. He 
had seen his children rebel vvi bout much emotion ; but 
when he saw that child, whose interest always lay next to 
his heart, among the number of those who were in rebellion 
against him, he could no longer contain his indignation. He 
broke out into expressions of the utmost despair ; cursed the 
day on which he had received his miserable being, and be 
stowed on his ungrateful children a malediction, which he 
never after could be prevailed upon to retract. J. 'The 
more his heart was disposed to friendship and affection, the 
more he resented this barbarous return : and now not having 
one corner in his heart where he could look for comfort or 
flv for refuge from his conflicting passions, he lost all his 
former vivacity. A lingering fever, caused by a broken 



HENRY II. 


67 


heart, soon after terminated his life and his miseries. He died 
at the castle of Chinon, near Saumiir, in the fifty-eighth 
yeai of his age, and the thirty-fifth of his reign , in the 
course of which he displayed all the abilities of a politician, 
all the sagacity of a legislator, and all the magnanimity of a 
hero ; sullied, however, by many instances of cruelty and 
perfidy, which were too commonly the characteristics of all 
the Plantaganets. 


Questions for Examination. 

2 Bv what means did Eleanor endeavour to escape ? 

3 In what way were Henry’s prospects of future happiness clouded? 

4 What was the penance performed by Henry ? 

5 At what time did the affairs of Henry wear a better aspect? 

6 Who endeavoured to assist the insurgents ? 

7 Did another of Henry’s sons enter into a conspiracy ? and what was tho 

consequence ! \ 

0 What were the misfortunes which led Henry to curse the day of Lua 
birth, and to bestow a malediction on his children ? 

0. What, caused the death of Henry? 

What was his character ? 

CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. A.n. 

\drian IV*. 1154 

Alexander III .... 1159 

LiitciusIII. 1181 

Urban III. 1185 

Gregory VIII. 1187 

Clement III. 1188 

Emperors of the East. 
Man. Cominenus.. 1143 

Alexis II. 1180 

Andronicus 1. 1183 


A.l). 

Isaac Angelus.... 1185 

Emperor of the West. 
Frederick 1. 1152 

Kings of France. 

Louis VII. 1137 

Philip Augustus .. 1180 

Kings of Portugal. 
Alphonso. 1102 


AD 

Sancho 1. 1185 

King of Denmark 
Waldemar I.t .... 1157 

Kings of Sh etland. 


David I . 1124 

Malcolm IV. 115i 

William . 1165 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Theobald, Becket, Richard, and Baldwin, archbishops of Canterbury 
Strongbow, earl of Pembroke; William Longsword, earl of Salisbury ; Geof¬ 
frey, archbishop of York; and Morgan, bishop of Durham; natural sons of 
the king, the two former by Fair Rosamond, the latter by a daughter of Sir 
Ralph Blewelt. Hugh Lacy, and Ralph de Glanville, justiciaries of Ireland 
and England. Bertrand de Boru-t 


♦ Pope Adrian was an Englishman, byname Nicholas Breakspear: he was 
choked by a fly in the fifth year of his popedom.— Med. Hist. August. 

t The regular succession and history of Denmark do not properly con) 
ntence till the accession of Waldemar I. (called the Great,) who considerably 
enlarged and civilized the country. 

| Though not properly a subject of the English crown, this extraordinary 
man exercised no little influence on the fortunes of Henry. He was lord of 
a small territory lying between the continental possessions of Henry and 
France: he saw that his only hope of retaining independence rested on tho 
-outinued hostility of these great powers, and used all his efforts to keep them 




















03 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


CHAPTER IX. 

• I 

RICHARD I. 

Born 1157. Died April fith, 1199. Befiran to reign August 13 IIM9 Reigned 

9J years 

Agninst whose fury and unmatched force 

The a we less lion could not waste fhe fight^ 

Nor keep his princely heart from Richard’s hand— Shakspeare. 

1. (A. I). 1190.) Richard, surnamed Cirur (le Lion , 
upon his ascending the throne, was still inflamed with the 
desire of going upon the crusade : and at length the king, 
having got a sufficient supply for his undertaking, having 
even sold his superiority over he kingdom of Scotland, 
which had been acquired in the last r?ign, for a moderate 
sum, he set out for the Holy Land, whither he was impelled 
py repeated messages from king Philip II of France, who 
was ready to embark in the same enterprise. 

2 . 'Phe first place of rendezvous for the two armies of 
England and France, was the plain of Vevelay, on the 
borders of Burgundy, where, when Richard and Philip 
arrived, they found their armies amounting to a hundred 
thousand fighting men. Here the French prince and tho 
English entered into the most solemn engagements of mu¬ 
tual support, and determined to conduct the armies to the 
Holy 1 jand by sea : they were obliged, however, by stress 
of weather, to take shelter at Messina*, the capital of Sicily, 
where they were detained during the whole winter. 3. 
Richard took up his quarters in the suburbs, and possessed 
himself of a small fort, which commanded the harbour. 
Philip quartered his troops in the town, and lived upon good 
terms with the Sicilian king 

constantly at war. Being both a politician and a poet, he exaggerated tho 
causes ol quarrel winch constantly arise between adjoining slates, and in 
bitter satires alternately reproached each government with cowardly sub¬ 
mission to its rival. It was he that stimulated the sons of Henry lo make war 
f gainst their lather, and young Henry especially was chiefly urged into the 
fnld by the satirical verses of Boru. After the death of the voting prince, 
Henry besieged Bertrand’s castle, and made him prisoner. When bro.gh 
mto the monarch’s presence, the king sarcastically said to his «aptive, “I 
think, Bertrand, thy wit has failed thee.” “ Yes, my lord,” reduce Bertrand 
‘it failed me on the day that the valiant young king, your son expired : on 
dial day I lost sense, wit, and knowledge.” Struck ai die unexpected men 
non of his son’s name, the king fainted,and on his recovery granted Bertrand 
i full pardon.— History of Ike Troubadours. 

* Tins place suffered much by an earthquake in 1783. It is famous for ts> 
wines, and is the finest harbour in the Mediterranean. 


RICHARD 1. 


69 


Many were the mistrusts and the mutual conciliations 
between these two monarchs, which were very probably 
inflamed by the Sicilian king’s endeavours. At length, 
however, having settled all controversies, they set sail foi 
the Holy Land, where the French arrived long before the 
English. 

4. Upon the arrival of the English army in Palestine, 
However, fortune was seen to declare more openly in favour 
of the common cause. The French and English princes 
seemed to forget their secret jealousies, and to act in concert. 
But shortly after, Philip, from the bad state of his health, 
returned to France, leaving Richard ten thousand of his 
troops, under the command of the duke of Burgundy. 5 
Richard, now left conductor ol the war, went on from vic¬ 
tory to victory. The Christian adventurers, under his com¬ 
mand, determined to besiege the renowned city of Ascalon, 
ill order to prepare tin; way for attacking Jerusalem with 
greater advantage. Saladin, the most heroic of the Saracen 
monarchs, was resolved to dispute their march, and placed 
himself upon the road with an army of three hundred thou¬ 
sand men. This was a day equal to Richard’s wishes ; 
this an enemy worthy his highest ambition. 6. The Eng¬ 
lish crusaders were victorious. Richard, when the wings 
of his army were defeated, led on the main body in person, 
and restored the battle. The Saracens fled in the utmost 
confusion, and no less than forty thousand of their number 
perished in the field of battle.* Ascalon soon surrendered 
after this victory ; other cities of less note followed the ex¬ 
ample ; Richard was at last able to advance within sight of 
Jerusalem, the object of his long and ardent expectations 
7. But just at this glorious juncture his ambition was to 
suffer a total overthrow: upon reviewing his forces, and 
considering his abilities to prosecute the s*ege, he found that 
his army was so wasted with famine, fatigue, and even vie 
lory, that they were neither able nor willing to second the 

* So celebrated was the courage of the English king, even in the enemy's 
army, and so dreaded was his name, that the Saracens would say to their 
restive horses, “ What do you start at ? do you think you see king Kichatd V 
Nor was his zealous industry less remarkable than his courage. To eneoil 
rage the soldiers in repairing the ruined walls of Acre. Coeur de IJon not 
only laboured in person, but appointed hours tor other leaders to work at the 
head of their men. All cheerfully obeyed, except the duke of Austria, who 
sent word that his father having been neither bricklayer nor mason, he had 
not learned either business. The English king, hearing this insolent -speech 
repeated to his face by the haughty duke, kicked him out of his tent, and 
ordered his banner to be disgraced. Brompton. 


70 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


views of their commander. 8. It appeared, iheiefore, absi>' 
Intel v necessary to (mine to an accommodation with Salad in . 
and a truce for three years was accordingly concluded ; in 
which it was agreed, that the sea-port towns of Palestine 
should remain in the hands of the Christians ; and that ad 
of that religion should he permitted to make their pilgrimage 
to Jerusalem in perfect security.* 

9. Richard having thus concluded his expedition with 
more glory than advantage, began to think of returning 
home : but being obliged to return through Germany, in the 
habit of a pilgrim, he was arrested by Leopold, duke of 
Austria, who commanded him to be imprisoned, and loaded 
with shackles, to the disgrace of honour and humanity. The 
emperor soon after required the prisoner to be delivered up 
to him, and stipulated a large sum of money to the duke as 
a reward for his services. 10. Thus, the king of England, 
who had long filled the world with his fame, was basely 
thrown into a dungeon, and loaded with irons, by those who 
expected to reap a sordid advantage from his misfortunes. 
It was a long time before his subjects in England knew 
what was become of their beloved monarch. 11. So little 
intercourse was there between different nations at that time, 
that this discovery is said by some to have been made by a 
poor French minstrel, who, playing upon his harp, neat 
the fortress in which Richard was confined, a tune which 
\ he knew that unhappy monarch was fond of, he was an¬ 
swered by the king from within, who, with his harp, played 
the same tune, and thus discovered the place of his con tine- 
men t. 

12. However, the English at length prevailed upon this 
barbarous monarch, who now saw that he could no longer 
detain his prisoner, to listen to terms of accommodation. A 
ransom was agreed upon, which amounted to a hundred and 
fifty thousand marks, or one hundred thousand pounds of 
our money, upon the payment of which, Richard was once 
more restored to his expecting subjects. 

13. Nothing could exceed the joy of the English upijn 
seeing their monarch return after all his achievements and 

ufierings 

* There wa° a magnanimity and generosity in Paladin rarely seen 1 i? 
recorded, that once during ilm campaign, Richard was dangerously sick, ano 
his disorder requiring frenh fruit, and snow to render it cool, the generous 
Saracen sent both in profusion, and thus saved the life of the only lbc he 
dreaded t Vila Sahdvu*) 


RICHARD I. 


71 


Up made his entry into London m triumph: and such 
was the profusion of wealth shown by the citizens, that the 
Herman lords who attended him were heard to say, that 
if the emperor had Known of their alHuenee, he would not 
so easily have parted with their king. He soon after ordered 
himself to he crowned anew at Winchester. He convoked 
a general council at Nottingham, at which he confiscated all 
his brother John’s possessions, who had basely endeavoured 
to prolong his captivity, and gone over to the king of France 
with that intent. However, he pardoned him soon after, 
with this generous remark : “ I wish I could as easily for¬ 
get my brother’s offence as he will my pardon.” 

14. Richard’s death was occasioned by a singular acci¬ 
dent. A vassal of the crown had taken possession of a 
treasure, which was found by one of the peasants in dig¬ 
ging a field in France ; and to secure the remainder, he sent 
part of it to the king. Richard, as superior lord, sensible 
that he had a rigiit to the whole, insisted on its being sent 
to him ; and, upon refusal, attacked the castle of Chalus, 
where lie understood this treasure had been deposited. 15. 
On the fourth day of the siege, as he was riding round the 
place to observe where the assault might be given with the 
fairest probability of success, he was aimed at by Bertrand 
de Gourdon, an archer, from the castle, and pierced in the 
shoulder with an arrow. The wound was not in itself dan¬ 
gerous ; but an unskilful surgeon, endeavouring to disen- 
yaore the arrow from the flesh, so rankled the wound, that it 
mortified, and brought on fatal symptoms. 16. Richard, 
when he found his end approaching, made a will, in which 
he bequeathed the kingdom, with all his treasure, to his 
brother John, except a fourth part, which he distributed 
among his servants. He ordered also that the archer who 
had shot him should be brought into his presence, and de¬ 
manded what injury he had done him, that he should take 
away his life? The prisoner answered with deliberate intre¬ 
pidity : 17. “You killed, with your own hand, my fathei 
and my two brothers, and you intended to have hinged me. 

1 am now in your power, and my torments may give you 
revenge; but l will endure them with pleasure, since it ia 
my consolation that I have rid the world of a tyrant.” Rich¬ 
ard, struck with this answer, ordered the soldier to be pre¬ 
sented with one hundred shillings, and set at liberty'; but 
L Vlarcade, the general under him, like a true ruffian, ordered 
him to be flayed alive, and then hanged. Richard died in 


72 


HISTORY OF ENCLAND 


the tenth year of his reign, and the forty-second of his age* 
leaving only one natural son, named Philip, behind him. 


Questions for Examination . 

1. With whom did Richard embark for the crusades? 

2. Of what number did the armies consist? 

4 On Philip’s return to France, who was left to conduct the war? 

5. Whoop|*osed Richard on his march to besiege Jerusalem? 

6. Can you repeat the particulars of the battle ? 

8. What circumstance induced Richard to come to an accommodation with 

Saladin ? 

9. In returning home, what happened to Richard ? 

11. How was it discovered that Richard was a prisoner? 

J2. By what means did Richard recover his liberty ? 

13. Who endeavoured to prolong Richard’s captivity ? and what was his re¬ 
mark on this occasion ? 

15. Can you relate the singular accident which caused the death of Ri hard? 
IT. What was the answer of the person w ho shot the king 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. a.d. 

Clement HI. 1188 

C»destine III. 1191 

Innocent III. 1198 

Emperors of the East. 
Isaac II. 1186 


A.D. 

Alexis III. 1195 

Emperors of the West. 

Frederic 1. 1152 

Henry VI. 1190 

Philip l.,. 1197 

EMINENT PERSONS. 


Kings of 

A.D 

France. Philip II 1180 
Portugal. San. I. 1180 
Denmark Can. V. 118? 
Scotland. William 1165 


Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury. Henry Fitzalwyn, first lord mayor of 
London. William Longehamp, bishop of Ely, regent in Ricnard’s abuenoo 
Robin Hood and Little John, the celebratod outlaws. 














JOHN. 


73 


CHAPTER X. 

JOHN. 

Born 1165 Died October 7th, 1216. Began to reign April 6th, 1199. Reigned 

17 i years. 

SECTION I. 

Wnen faithless John usurp’d the sullied crown. 

What ample .yranny ! Six tedious years 
Our helpless fathers in despair obey'd 
The Papal interdict; and who obey’d 
The Sovereign plunder’d ?— Sheyistonr.. 

1. (A. D. 1190.) John,* who was readily put in poa 
session of the English throne, lost no time to second his 
interest on the continent; and his first care was to recover 
the revolted provinces from young ArMur, his nephew. 
But from the pride and cruelty of his temper, he soon be¬ 
came hateful to his subjects ; and his putting his nephew, 
who had a right to the crown, to death, with his own hand, 
in prison, served to render him completely hateful. 

2. Hitherto John was rather hateful to his subjects than 
contemptible; they rather dreaded than despised him. 
But he soon shewed that he might be offended, if not with¬ 
out resentment, at least with impunity. It was the fate of 
this vicious prince to make those the enemies of himself 
whom he wanted abilities to make the enemies of each 
other. The clergy had for some time acted as a community 
independent of the crown, and had their elections of each 
other generally confirmed by the pope, to whom alone they 
owed subjection. 3. However, the election of archbishops 
had for some time been a continual subject of dispute be¬ 
tween the suffragan bishops and the Augustine monks, and 
both had precedents to confirm their pretensions. John 
side 1 with the bishops, and sent two knights of his train, 
who were fit instruments for such a prince, to expel the 
monks from their convent, and to take possession of their 
revenues. 4. The pope was not displeased with these di¬ 
visions ; and, instead of electing either of the persons ap¬ 
pointed by the contending parties, he nominated Stephen 
Langton as archbishop of Canterbury. John, however, 
refusing to admit the man v)f the pope’s choosing, the king¬ 
dom was put under an interdict. 'I bis instrument of terror 
in the hands of the see of Rome was calculated to strike 
the senses in the highest degree, and to operate upon the 

* Surriamed Sans Terre or Jjvkland 

G 


74 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


superstitious minds of the people. 5. By it a stop was ini 
medianly put to divine service, and to the administialiop 
of all the sacraments but baptism. The church-doors were 
shut; the statues of the saints were laid on the ground, 
the dead were refused Christian burial, and were thrown 
into ditches on the highways, without the usual rues, or 
any funeral solemnity 

6. No situation could be more deplorable than that of 
ohn upon this occasion. Furious at his indignities, jealous 

of his subjects and apprehending an enemy in every lace, 
it is said that, fearing a conspiracy against his life, he shut 
himself up a whole night in the castle of Nottingham, and 
suffered none to approach his person. But what was his 
consternation when he found that the pope had actually 
given away his kingdom to the monarch of France, and 
that the prince of that country was actually preparing an 
army to take possession of his crown ! 

7. John, who, unsettled and apprehensive, scarcely knew 
where to turn, was still able to make an expiring effort to 
receive the enemy. All hated as he was, the natural en¬ 
mity between the French and the English, the name of 
king, which he still retained, and some remaining power, 
put him at the head of sixty thousand men—a sufficient 
number indeed, but not to be relied on—and with these 
he advanced to Dover. 8. Europe now regarded the im¬ 
portant preparations on both sides with impatience ; and 
the decisive blow was soon expected, in which the church 
was to triumph or to be overthrown. But neither Philip 
nor John had ability equal to the pontiff by whom they 
were actuated ; who appeared on this occasion too refined 
a politician for either. He only intended to make use of 
Philip’s power to intimidate his refractory son, not to 
destroy him. 9. He intimated, therefore, to John, by his 
legate, that there was but one way to secure himself hom 
impending danger; which was to put himself under the 
pope’s protection, who was a merciful father, and still willing 
to receive a repentant sinner to his bosom. John was too 
much intimidated by the manifest danger of his situation 
not to embrace evt ry means offered for his safety He 
assenteil to the truth oi the legate’s remonstrances, and 
look an oath to perform whatever stipulation the pope should 
impose. 10. John having thus sworn to the performance 
ot an unknown command, the artful Italian so well managed 
the barons, and sc effectually intimidated the king, that he 


fOHN 


7 


peisuaded him to take the most extraordinary oath in ali the 
records of history, before all the people, kneeling upon 
his knees, and with his hands held up between those of the 
Legate. 

11. “I John, by the grace of God, king of England, 
and lord of Ireland, in order to expiate my sins, from my 
own free will, and the advice of my barons, give to the 
church of Rome, to pope Innocent, and his successors, the 
kingdom of England, and all other prerogatives of my 
down. I will hereafter hold them as the pope’s vassal. 1 
will he faithful to God, to the church of Rome, to the pope 
my master, and his successors legitimately elected. I pro¬ 
mise to pay him a tribute of a thousand marks yearly ; to 
wit, seven hundred for the kingdom of England, and three 
hundred for the kingdom of Ireland.”—12. Having thus 
done homage to the legate, and agreed to reinstate L ington 
in the orirnacy, lie received the crown, which he had been 
suppled to have forfeited, while the legate trampled under 
his fi*et the tribute which John had consented to pay. 'Thus, 
by this most scandalous concession John once more averted 

J 

the threatened blow. 

In this manner, by repeated acts of cruelty, by expedi¬ 
tions without effect, and humiliations without reserve, John 
was become the detestation of all mankind. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What was the conduct of John on succeeding to the throne ? 

2 3. Of what nature was the disagreement between the king and the 
clergy which produced such serious consequences to the nation? 

1 Whv was the kingdom put under an interdict? 

I What were the consequences of it ? 

6 To what distress was John reduced ? 

9 To what humiliating concessions did John submit? 

11 What oath did the king take ? 

12 What degrading ceremony followed* 


SECTION n. 

This is the place 

Where England's Ancient barons, clad in arms. 

And stern with conquest. from »h*-ir tyrant king 
(Tln n rendered rtuue) did challenge and secure 
The Charier of thy Freedom. — Jlkevside. 

I (A D. 1215.) The barons had long neon forming a 
confederacy against him; but their union was broken, or 
their aims disappointed, by various and unforseen accidents 
At length however they assembled a large body of men al 
‘Hamford, and from thence, elated with heir power, they 
^arched to tirackley, about fifteen miles from Oxford, the 




m 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


place where the court then resided. 2. John, hearing of 
their approach, sent the archbishop of Canterbury, the eari 
ol Pembroke, and others of the council, to know the parti¬ 
culars of the request, and what those liberties were which 
they so earnestly importuned him to grant. The barons 
delivered a schedule, containing the chief articles of their 
demands, and of which the former charters of Henry and 
Edward the Confessor formed the ground-work. No sooner 
were those shown to the king, than he burst into a furious 
passion, and asked why the barons did not also demand his 
kingdom ? swearing that he would never comply with such 
exorbitant demands! But the confederacy was now too 
strong to fear much from the consequences of his resent¬ 
ment. 3. They chose Robert Fitzwalter for their general 
whom they dignified with the title of “ mareschal of the 
army of God, and of the holy church,” and proceeded 
without further ceremony, to make war upon the king. 
They besieged Northampton; they took Bedford; they 
were joyfully received in London. They wrote circular 
letters to all the nobility and gentlemen who had not yet 
declared in their favour, and menaced their estates with de¬ 
vastation, in case of refusal or delay. 

4. John, struck with terror, first offered to refei all dif¬ 
ferences to the pope alone, or eight barons ; four to be 
chosen by himself and four by the confederates. This 
the barons scornfully rejected. He then assured them that 
he would submit at discretion; and that it was his supreme 
pleasure to grant all their demands : a conference was ac¬ 
cordingly appointed, and ail things adjusted for this most 
important treaty. 

5. 'Hie ground where the king’s commissioners met the 
barons was between Staines and Windsor,* at a place 
called Runimede, still held in reverence by posterity as the 
spot where the standard of freedom was first erected in 
England. There the barons appeared with a vast number 
of knights and warriors, on the fifteenth day of June, 
while those on the king’s part came a day or two after. 
Both sides encamped apart, like open enemies. The de¬ 
bates between power and precedent are generally but of 
short continuance. G. The barons, having arms in ther 
hands, would admit but a few abatements; and the king’s 
agents being for the most part in their interests, few debates 

* Here is the strongest castle in England: it was the general residence of 
his iate majesty, and was originally built by William the Conqueror 


John. 


77 



King John compelled to ratify Magna Charta. 


ensued. After some days the king-, with a facility that 
was somewhat suspicious, signed and scaled the chariot 
required of him; a charter which continues in force to this 
dav, and is the famous bulwark of English liberty, winch 
now goes by the name of Magna Charta. 7. This famous 
deed either granted or secured freedom to those orders of 
the kingdom that were already possessed of freedom : 
namely, to the clergy, the barons, and the gentlemen : as 
for the inferior and the greater part of the people, they 
were as yet held as slaves, and it was long before they 
could come to a participation of legal protection. 

8. John, however, could not long brook these conces¬ 
sions that were extorted from his fears : he therefore took 
the first opportunity of denying to be the least governed hv 
them. 

9. This produced a second civil war, in which the barons 
were obliged to have recourse to the king of France for 
assistance. Thus England saw nothing hut a prospect of 
being every way undone. If John succeeded, a tyrannical 
and implacable monarch was to be their tormentor; if the 
f rench king was to prevail, the country was ever after to 
submit to a more powerful monarchy, and was to become a 
province of France. What neither human prudence could 
foresee nor policy suggest was brought about by a happy 
4 nd unexpected accident. 

g 2 



























78 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


10. John had assembled a considerable arm\, with a 

, * *' . _ 

view 10 make one great effort for the crown ; and at the 
head of a large body of troops, resolved to penetrate into 
the heart of the kingdom. With these resolutions he de¬ 
parted from Lynn, which, for its fidelity, he had distin¬ 
guished with many marks of favour, and directed his route 
towards Lincolnshire. His road lay along the shore, which 
was overflowed at high-water ; but not being apprised of 
his, or being ignorant of the tide of the place, he lost all 
his carriages, treasure, and baggage, by its influx. 11. He 
himself escaped with the greatest difficulty, and arrived at 
the abbey of Swinstead. where his grief for the loss he had 
sustained, and the distracted state of his affairs, threw him 
into a fever, which soon appeared to be fatal. Next day 
being unable to ride on horseback, he was carried in a litter 
to the castle of Seaford, and from thence removed to New 
ark, where, after having made his will, he died in the fifty- 
first year of his age, and the eighteenth of his detested reign.* 
12. Seldom has any throne been disgraced by a monarch 
so depraved as John ; before his accession he had rebelled 
against a fond father, and treacherously attempted the life 
of a generous brother:, to secure himself on the throne he 
murdered his nephew, prince Arthur, and detained his 
niece, the princess Eleanora, in perpetual imprisonment. 
He repudiated one wife and imprisoned another, and 
violated his faith to both with the most abandoned pro¬ 
fligacy. He showed his contempt for religion by habitually 
swearing, and wantonly violating the most solemn oaths 
If he was a bad man, he was a worse king ; he subjected 
himself to the ignominious yoke of Rome; he suffered 
France to take possession of the Norman provinces, almost 
without a struggle; and av home he acted the part of a 
lustful and bloody tyrant, sporting with the honours, the 
fortunes, and the lives of his unhappy subjects. Yet, by 
the blessing of Providence, his tyranny became the source 
of the greatest benefits to posterity, since his intolerable 
oppressions drove the barons into rebellion, and procured 
them the great charter, which was the first foundation of 
British freedom. 

* King John once demanded 10,000 marks from a Jew of Bristol; and on 
ms refusal, ordered one of his teelh to he drawn every day till he should 
comply. The Jew lost seven teeth, and then paid the sum requned of 
him 


HENRY III. 


70 


Quest urns for Examination. 

1 Pul the f«.rons assemble an army in opposition to the King? 

2 \\ hat were their demands ? and what answer did the king return ? 

3, 4. What consequences followed ? 

5 6 Can you mention the circumstances which attended the signing of 
Magna Charta ? 

8 What produced a second civil war? 

9 What great elfort did John resolve to make ? 

10 11. What was the accident which betel John, and accelerated ht3 
death ? 

12 Wlmt was the character of John ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 

A.D. I 

Alexis V. 12041 


Popes. 

AD. 

Innocent III. 

1198 

Honorius III. 

1215 

Emjterors of Ike East. 

Alexis III. 

1195 

Alexis IV. 

1203 


Theodore 1. 1205 

Emperors of (he West. 

Philip. 1197 

OtholV. 1208 

Frederic II. 1211 


Kings of 

A.D. 

France. Philip II.. 1189 
Fortug. Sancho I.. 1185 
Adolphus II.. 1212 
Den. WeLdemar II. 1202 
Scotland William. 1165 
Alexander II. 1214 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Stephen Langtnn, archbishop of Canterbury; he divided our Bible into 
chapters atid verses. Robert Fitzwalter, general of the barons’ army 
John de Courcy, earl of Ulster, famous for his strength and prowess 
Prince Arthur, nephew to the king, by whom he is supposed to have been 
murdered. 


CHAPTER XI. 

HENRY III. 

Born 1207 Died Nov. 16th, 1272 Rpgnn to reign October 17tli, 12)6. Reigned 

o0 years. 

SECTION I. 

Humane, indulgent, kind ev’n to n fault; 

Yet wanting energy when cares assault 

His reien. though turbulent, an instance brings 

Of “ Mercy throned in the heart of kings.” — Dibdin. 

1 (A.D. 1216.) A claim was made upon the death of 

John, in favour of young Ilenry, the son of the late king 
who was now but nine years of age The ear 1 of Pern 
broke, a nobleman of great worth and valour who had 















80 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


faithfully adhered to John in all the fluctuations of liis for¬ 
tune, determined to support his declining interests, and had 
him solemnly crowned by the bishops of Winchester, Bath, 
and Gloucester. 

2. The young king was of a character the very opposite 
to his father; as he grew up to man’s estate, he was found 
to be gentle, merciful, and humane ; he appeared easy and 
good-natured to his dependents, but no way formidable to his 

nemies. Without activity or vigour, he was unfit to govern 
in war; without distrust or suspicion, he was imposed upon 
in times of peace. 

3. As weak princes are never without governing favour¬ 
ites, he first placed his affections on Hubert de Burgh, and 
he becoming obnoxious to the people, the place was soon 
supplied by Peter De Roches, bishop of Winchester, a 
Poictevin by birth, a man remarkable for his arbitrary con¬ 
duct, for his courage, and his abilities'. Henry, in pursuance 
of this prelate’s advice, invited over a great number of Poio- 
tevins, and other foreigners, who having neither principles 
nor fortunes at home, were willing to adopt whatever schemes 
their employers should propose. 4. Every office and com¬ 
mand was bestowed on these unprincipled strangers, whose 
avarice and rapacity were exceeded only by their pride and 
insolence. So unjust a partiality to strangers very naturally 
excited the jealousy of the barons ; and they even ventured 
to assure the king, that, if he did not dismiss all foreigners 
from court, they would drive both him and them out of the 
kingdom ; but their anger was scarcely kept within bounds 
when they saw a new swarm of these intruders come over 
from Gascony, with Isabella, the king's mother, who had 
some time before been married to the count de la Marche. 
5. To these just causes of complaint were added the king’s 
unsuccessful expedition to the continent, his total want of 
economy, and his oppressive exactions, which were but the 
residt of the former. The kingdom therefore waited with 
gloomy resolution, determined to take vengeance when the 
general discontent arrived at maturity. 

6. This imprudent preference, joined to a thousand other 
illegal evasions of justice, at last impelled Simon Montford* 
earl of Leicester, to attempt an innovation in the government, 
and to wrest the sceptre from the feeble hand that held it. 
I his nobleman was the son of the famous general who com 
manded against the Albigenses, a sect of enthusiasts that 
had been destroyed some time before in the kingdom of Sa- 


HENRY III 


61 


vov He was married to the king’s sister ; and by his power 
and address was possessed of a strong interest in the nation 
having gained equally the affections of the great and the 

little. 

7- The place where the formidable confederacy which he 
had formed hrst discovered itself was in the parliament house, 
where the barons appeared incomplete armour. The king, 
upon his entry, asked them what was their intention ; to 
winch they submissively replied, to make him their sovereign, 
by confirming his power, and to have their grievances re¬ 
dressed. 8. Henry, who was ready enough to promise 
whatever was demanded, instantly assured them of his inten¬ 
tion to give all possible satisfaction ; and, for that purpose, 
summoned a parliament at Oxford, to digest a new plan ot 
government, and to elect proper persons who were to be in¬ 
trusted with the chief authority. This parliament, after¬ 
wards called the “ mad parliament,” went expeditiously to 
work upon the business of reformation. 9. Twenty-four 
barons were appointed, with supreme authority, to reform 
the abuses of the state, and Leicester was placed at their 
head. The whole state in their hands underwent a complete 
alteration ; all its former officers were displaced ; and crea¬ 
tures of the twenty-four barons were put into their room 
They not only abridged the authority of the king, but the 
efficacy of parliament, giving up to twelve persons all parlia¬ 
mentary power between each session. Thus these insolent 
nobles, after having trampled upon the crown, threw pros¬ 
trate the rights of the people, and a vile oligarchy was on 
the point of being established for ever. 

10. The first opposition that was made to these usurpa 
tions was from a power which but lately began to take a 
place in the constitution. The knights of the shin;, who 
for some time had begun to be regularly assembled in a se¬ 
parate house, now first perceived these grievances, and com¬ 
plained against them. They represented tha* their own 
interests and power seemed the only aim of all their decrees : 
and they even called upon the king’s eldest son, prince Ed 
ward, to interpose his authority, and save the sinking nation 


Questions fur Examination. 

1 By whom was the interest of the young king secured 1 

2 What is the character given of him f 

3 Whc v ere his favourites ? 



82 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


4 B\ what rnoans did he exrite the jealousy of the barons ? 

6 Who attempted an innovation in the government ? 

7. What are the* particulars of the conspiracy (brined bv the barour? 

9 In whom was the supreme authority vested ? 

10. By whom were these usurpations opjiosed, and of what did they com¬ 
plain ? 


SECTION II. 

The fate of wsir. capricious, now ordains. 

That Edward, Henry's son, shall break his chains. — * Dibditl . 

1 (A. D. 1264.) Prince Edward was at this time about 
twenty-two years of age. The hopes which were conceived 
of his abilities and his integrity rendered him an important 
peisonage in the transactions of the times, and in some mea¬ 
sure atoned for the father’s imbecility. He had, at a very 
early age, given the strongest proofs of courage, of wisdom, 
and of constancy. At first, indeed, when applied to, ap¬ 
pearing sensible of what his father had suffered by levity 
and breach of promise, he refused some time to listen to the 
people’s earnest application ; but, being at last persuaded to 
concur, a parliament was called, in which the king assumed 
his former authority. 

2. This being considered as a breach of the late conven¬ 
tion, a civil war ensued, in which, in a pitched battle, the 
earl of Leicester became victorious, and the king was taken 
prisoner, but soon after exchanged for prince Edward, who 
was to remain as a hostage to ensure the punctual observance 
of the former agreement. 

With all these advantages, however, Leicester was not so 
entirely secure, but that be still feared the combination of the 
foreign states against him, as well as the internal machina¬ 
tions of the royal party. In order, therefore, to secure his 
ill-acquired power, he was obliged to have recourse to an aid 
till now entirely unknov n in England, namely, that of the 
body of th» people. 4. He called a parliament, where, be¬ 
sides the barons of his own party, and several ecclesiastics, 
who were not immediate tenants of the crown, he ordered 
returns to be made of two knights from every shire ; and also 
deputies from the boroughs, which had been hitherto consi¬ 
dered as too inconsiderable to have a voice in legislation. 
This is the first confused outline of an English house of 
commons. The people had been gaining some consideration 
since the gradual diminution of the force of the feudal 
y stem. 

&. This parliament, however, was found not so very com- 



HENRY III. 


83 


plying as he expected. Many of the barons, who had hi 
therio steadlastly adhered to his party, appeared disgusted 
at his immoderate ambition; and many of the people, who 
found that a change of masters was not a change for happi¬ 
ness, began to wish for the re-establishment of the royal 
family. G. In this exigence, Leicester, finding himself unable 
to oppose the concurring wishes of the nation, was resolved 
to make a merit of what he could not prevent ; and he ac¬ 
cordingly released prince Edward from confinement, and had 
him introduced at Westminster-hall, where his freedom was 
confirmed by the unanimous voice of the barons. But though 
Leicester had all the popularity of restoring the prince, yet 
he was politic enough to keep him still guarded by his emis¬ 
saries, who watched all his motions, and frustrated all his 
aims. 

7. The prince, therefore, upon hearing that the duke of 
Gloucester was up in arms in his cause, took an opportunity 
to escape from his guards, and put himself at the head of his 
party. A battle soon after ensued ; but the earl’s amiy ha¬ 
ving been exhausted by famine on the mountains of Wales, 
were but ill able to sustain the impetuosity of young Ed¬ 
ward’s attack, who bore down upon them with incredible 
fury. During this terrible day, Leicester behaved with as¬ 
tonishing intrepidity ; and kept up the spirit of the action 
from two o’clock in the morning till nine at night. 8. At 
last, his horse being killed under him, he was compelled to 
fight on foot; and, though he demanded quarter, yet the ad¬ 
verse party refused it, with a barbarity common enough in 
the times we are describing. The old king, who was placed 
in the front of the battle, was soon wounded, in the shoulder; 
and, not being known by his Iriemls, he was on the point of 
being killed by a soldier; but crying out, “ 1 am henry of 
Winchester, the king !” he was saved by a knight of the 
royal army. 9. Prince Edward, hearing the voice of his 
father, instantly ran to the spot where he lay, and had him 
conducted to a place of safety. The body of Leicester being 
found among the dead, was barbarously mangled by one Ro¬ 
ger Mortimer; and then, with an accumulation of itihuma 
nity, sent to the wretched widow, as a testimony of the roya. 
paity’s success. 

10. This victory proved decisive ; and the prince, having 
thus restored peace to the kingdom, found his affairs so 
firmly established, that he resolved upon taking the cross 
which was at that time the highest object of human ambition 


84 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


In ^rsiiance of this resolution, Edward sailed from Eng¬ 
land with a large army, and arrived at the camp ol Lew is 
king of France, which lay before Tunis, where he had tho 
misfortune to hear of that good monarch’s death belore ni« 
arrival. The prince, however, no way discouraged by this 
event, continued his voyage, and arrived at the Iloly Land 



11 He was scarcely departed upon this pious expedition, 
when the health of the old king began to decline; and he 
found not only his own constitution, but also that of the 
state, in such a dangerous situation, that he wrote letters to 
his son, pressing him to return with all dispatch. 12. At 
last, being overcome with the cares of government, and the 
infirmities of age, he ordered himself to be removed, by easy 
journeys, from St. Edmunds to Westminster, and that same 
night expired in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and the 
fifty-seventh of his reign ; the longest to be met with in the 
annals of England, until that of George the Third.* 


Questions for Examination. 


1. What were the circumstances which warranted the hopes conceived by 

prince Henry ? 

2. What was -the result of the battle between the king and Leicester ? 

3. 4. By what means did Leicester endeavour to secure his power? 

5. Did the Parliament comply with his wishes ? 

6 Why did Leicester resolve to release prince Edward ? 

7, 8, 9. Can you reiate the circumstance which took place in the action be 
tween prince Edward and Leicester? 

10. What were Edward’s determination and conduct after this victory ? 

11. During Edward’s absence, what was the situation of the king and the na¬ 

tion ? 

12. At what age did Ilenry die ? and how' long did he reign ? 


* The interest paid in this reign, for money in the East Indies, amounted 
it is said, to twenty-five, and even sometimes to ’.nirty-six per cent. But in 
stances occurred in England of fifty per cent, being paid for money. No 
wonder, therefore, that the Jews, who were the only money-lenders, should 
be tempted to stay hi the kingdom, notwithstanding the grievous extortion* 
that were practised on them. 

Henry granted a chatter to the town of Newcastle, in which he gave the 
nhnhitants a license to dig coal. 

The houses of the city of London were till this period mostly thatched with 
straw , for it appears that an order was issued, that all houses therein should 
he covered with tiles or olafe, instead of straw; more especially such as stood 
in the best streets, which were then but few in comparison with the present 
for where Cheapside now stands (which is the heart of the city), was at that 
time a field, the principal part of the city lying more eastward. From Tem¬ 
ple Bar tome city (then the village) of Westminister, wnere the Strand now 
Btands, was no more than a mere highway or country road, having, however, 
many noblemen’s houses and gardens adjoining to it, which have since given 
names to streets there erected. This, indeed, was the case in several subce 
qucnt reigns. 




EDWARD I. 


85 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS 


Pop s A. I). 

Ilaaonus III. 1216 

Gregory IX. 1227 

Celcstine IV. 1241 

Innocent IV. 1243 

Alexander IV. 1254 

Urban IV. 1261 

Clement IV 7 . 1265 

Gregory X. 1271 

Emperors of the East. 

Theodore 1. 1204 

John 111. 1222 

Theodore II. 1225 

John I V . 1259 


A.IV 

Michael VIII. 1259 

Emperor of the West. 

Frederick 11. 1211 

Kings of France, 

Philip II. 1180 

Louis VIII. 1223 

St. Louis IX. 1226 

Philip III. 1270 

Kings of Portugal. 

Alphon.su III. 1202 

Sane ho II. 1233 


Alphonsus V. 


A. IX 

1217 


Kings oj Denm irk. 

YValdeinar. I2<'2 

Eric VI. 124A 

Abel 1. 1250 

Christopher I .... 1252 
Eric VIII. 


King of Sweden. 
Waldemar. 1250 

Kings of Scotland. 

Alexander II. 1211 

Alexander III. 1249 


EMINENT PERSONS. 


Richard Magnus. Edmund of Abingdon, Boniface, and Robert Kihvarby 
archbishops ot Canterbury. Des Roches, bishop of Winchester, and Lord 
Chancellor.* Earl of Pembroke, protector. Montlbrd, earl of Leicester 
general of the barons. 


CHAPTER XII. 

EDWARD I. 


Born 123€ Died July 7th, 1307. Began to reign Nov. 16th, 1272. Reigned 

34 years. 

The red cross flies in Holy band, 

The Saracen his cresconi waves. 

And English Edward’s gallant band 
Seek proud renown or glorious graves.— Dibdin. 

1. /'A.D. 1274.) While the unfortunate Henry was thus 
vainly struggling with the ungovernable spirit of his subjects, 
his son and successor, Edward*, was employed in the holy 
wars, where he revived the glory of the English name, and 
made the enemies of Christianity tremble. He was stabbed, 
however, by one of those Mahometan enthusiasts, called 
Assassins, as he was one day sitting in his tent, and was 
Cured not without great difficulty. 2. Some say that lie 

* In the reigns of tne earlier Norman kings the Lord Chancellor wa b 
usually a clergyman, and was frequently styled the keeper of the king's 
conscience. The Court of Chancery did not exist under the Saxon Dynasty 
t From the great length and slenderness of his legs, he was surnarued 
Longshanks 

H 

































HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


8t2 

ov*3(1 his safety to the piety of Eleanora, his wife, vvh 
sucked the poison from the wound, to save his lile at tliD 
hazard of her own. 

Though the death of the late king happened while the 
successor vv as so far from home, yet measures had been so 
well taken, that the crown was transferred with the greatest 
tranquillity. 

3. As Edward was now come to an undisputed throne, 
the opposite interests were proportionably feeble. The barons 
were exhausted by long and mutual dissensions; the clergy 
were divided in their interests, and agreed only in one point, 
to hate the pope, who had for some time drained them with 
impunity ; the people, by some insurrections against the 
convents, appeared to hate the clergy with equal animosity. 
But these disagreeing orders concurred in one point, that of 
esteeming and reverencing the king, who therefore though 4 
this the most favourable conjuncture for uniting England 
with Wales. 4. The Welsh had for many ages enjoyed 
their own laws, language, customs and opinions. They 
were the remains of the ancient Britons, who had escaped 
Roman and Saxon invasions, and still preserved their fiee- 
dom and their country uncontaminated by the admission'of 
foreign conquerors. 5. But as they were, from their num¬ 
ber, incapable of withstanding their more powerful neigh¬ 
bours on the plain, their chief defence lay in the inaccessible 
mountains, those natural bulwarks of the country. When¬ 
ever England was distressed by factions at home, or its forces 
called off by wars abroad, the Welsh made it a constant 
practice to pour in their irregular troops, and lay the open 
country waste wherever they came. 6. Nothing could be 
more pernicious to a country than several neighbouring 
independent principalities, under different commanders, and 
pursuing different interests; the mutual jealousies of such 
were sure to harass the people ; and, whenever victory was 
purchased, it was always at the expense of the general wel¬ 
fare. 7. Sensible of this, Edward had long wished to reduce 
that incursive people, and had ordered Llewelyn to do ho¬ 
mage for his territories: which summons the Welsh prince 
refused to obey, unless the king’s own son should be deli¬ 
vered as a hostage for his safe return. The king was not 
displeased at this refusal, as it served to give him a pretext 
for his intended invasion. He therefore levied an army 
against Llewelyn, and marched into his country with certain 
assurance of success. 


EDWARD 1, 


87 


8. Upon the approach of Edward, the Welsh prince took 
refuge among the inaccessible mountains of Snowdon,* and 
and there resolved to maintain his ground, without trusting 
to the chance of a battle. These were the steep retreats 
that had for many ages defended his ancestors against all the 
attempts of the Roman and Saxon conquerors. But Edward, 
equally vigorous and cautious, having explored every part 
of his way, pierced into the very centre of Llewelyn’s ter¬ 
ritories, anti approached the Welsh army in its vast retreats. 
0. Here, after extorting submission from the Welsh prince, 
the king retired. But an idle prophecy, in which it was fore¬ 
told by Merlin that Llewelyn was to be the restorer of Bru»* 
ton’s empire in Britain, was an inducement sufficiently 
strong to persuade this prince to revolt once more, and hazard 
a decisive battle against the English. 10. With this view 
he marched into Radnorshire, and, passing the river Wye 
his troops were surprised and defeated by Edward Mortimer, 
while he himself was absent from his army, upon a confer¬ 
ence with some of the barons of that country. Upon his 
return, seeing the dreadful situation of his affairs, he ran 
desperately into the midst of the enemy, and quickly found 
that death he so ardently sought for. David, the brother of 
this unfortunate prince, soon after fell in the same cause; 
and with him expired the independence of the Welsh nation, 
A. D. 1282. 11. It was soon after united to the kingdom 

of England, and made a principality, and given to the eldest 
son of the king. Foreign conquest might add to the glory, 
but this added to the felicity of the kingdom. The Welsh 
are now blended with the conquerors ; and, in the revolution 
of a few ages, all national animosity was entirely forgotten. 

12. Soon after, the death of Margaret, queen of Scotland, 
gave him hopes of adding Scotland also to his dominions. 
The death of this princess produced a most ardent dispute 
about the succession to the Scottish throne, it being claimed 
by no less than twelve competitors. The claims, however, 
of all the other candidates were reduced to three, who were 
the descendants of the earl of Huntingdon by three daugb 
ters : John Hastings, who claimed in right of his mother 
as one of the co-heiresses of the crown; John Baliol, wh 
alleged his right, as being descended from the eldest daugh 
ter, who was his grandmother ; and Robert Bruce, who was 

* F'om the summit of which ma y be seen part of ireiand Scotland, Eng 
\a~ J and all North Wales. 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


8 J 



Batiol surrendering his crown to Edward L 


die actual son of the second daughter. This dispute being 
re^rred to Edward’s decision, with a strong degree of as¬ 
surance he claimed the crown for himself, and appointed 
Baliol his deputy. 

13. Baliol being thus placed on the Scottish throne, less a 
king than a vassal. Edward’s first step was sufficient to con¬ 
vince that people of his intentions to stretch the prerogative 
to the utmost. Upon the most frivolous pretence, he sent 
six different summonses for Baliol to appear in London, at 
different times in one year; so that the poor Scottish king 
soon perceived that he was possessed of the name only, but 
not the authority of a sovereign. Willing, therefore, to 
shake off the yoke of so troublesome a master, Baliol re¬ 
volted, and procured the pope’s absolution from his former 
oath of homage. 

14. But no power the Scots could bring into the field was 
able to withstand the victorious army of Edward. lie 
overthrew their forces in many engagements, and thus be¬ 
coming undisputed master of the kingdom, he took every 
pro caution to secure his title, and to abolish those distinc 
thins which might be apt to keep the nation in its former 
independence. Baliol was carried a prisoner to London 
and compelled to surrender his crown ; am 1 Edward care¬ 
fully destroyed all records and monuments of antiquity t)*o.t 
inspired the Scots with a spirit of national pride 


















ED WARP I 


81) 


Questions for Examination 

l. ^'hai disaster befel Edward in the Holy Land ? 

X To whose cnrc is it said he owed his liie ? 

d What was the situation of the kingdom at Edward’s accession 

4 What was the state of the Welsh at ihis time? 

it What was the constant practice of the Welsh towards England? 

* \\ hat method did Edward pursue to reduce Wales? 

8 What was iis success ? 

9 What induced Llewelyn again to revolt? 

10 What followed this defeat ? 

11 To whom wa> the principality of Wales given after its union with 

England ? 

12. \Y ial happened, at tins time, 'hat gave Edward hopes of adding S< ollajid 
to Ins dominions ? 

I low many cumpctiiurs claimed the Scottish throne? and wl.at were the 
Haines of the three principal ? 

13 What method did lialioi lake to shake off the yoke of Edward 
15 U nut was the result of this struggle for independence? 


SECTION II. 

Poll Rre ihc Pc«its determined in oppugn 

And 'rent in'milim: Edward’s friends as foes; 

Till die revoncelnl kuur. in proud array, 

Swears to make Scotland bend beneath his sway.— M ~",donala. 

1. (A. I). 1296 .) These expeditions, however, terminated 
rather in glory than advantage ; the expenses which were 
requisite for carrying on the war were not only burdensome 
to the king, but even, in the event, threatened to shake him 
>n his throne. In order at first to set the great machine in 
motion, he raised considerable supplies by means of bis 
parliaments, and that august body was then first modelled by 
him into the form in which it continues to this day. 2. As 
a great part of the property of the kingdom was, by the in 
troduction of commerce, and the improvement of agricul¬ 
ture, transferred from the barons to the lower classes of the 
people, so their consent was now thought necessary for the 
raising any considerable supplies. For this reason he issued 
writs to the sheriffs, enjoining them to send to parliament 
along with two knights of the shire (as in the former reign) 
two deputies from each borough within their county ; and 
these provided with sufficient power from their constituents 
to grant such demands as they should think reasonable for 
the safety of the state. 3. One of the first efforts, therefore 
«ras to oblige the king’s conned to sign the Magna Charta, 
and to add a clause to secure the nation for ever against all 
impositions and taxes without the consent of parliament. 
This the king’s council (for Edward was at that ume in 
Flanders) readily agreed, to sign : and the king himself, when 

h 2 



90 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


it was sent over to him, after some hesitation, thought pre- 
per to do the same. 5. These concessions he again cnr- 
tinued after his return : and, though it is probable he was 
averse to granting them, yet he was at last brought to give 
a plenary consent to all the articles that were demanded of 
him. Thus, after the contest of an age, the Magna Charts 
was finally established ; nor was it the least circumstance 
in its favour, that its confirmation was procured from one of 
ihe greatest and boldest princes that ever swayed the Eng¬ 
lish sceptre. 

5. In the mean time William Wallace*, so celebrated in 
Scottish story, attempted to rescue Scotland from the Eng 
lish yoke. He was a younger son of a gentleman who lived 
in the western part of the kingdom. He was a man of a 
gigantic stature, incredible strength, and amazing - intrepidity ; 
eagerly desirous of independence, and possessed with the 
most disinterested spirit of patriotism. To this man had 
resorted all those who were obnoxious to the English govern¬ 
ment ; the proud, the bold, the criminal, and the ambitious 
o. These, bred among dangers and hardships themselves 
could not forbear admiring in their leader a degree of pa 
tience under fatigue and famine, which they supposed beyond 
the power of human nature to endure ; he soon, therefore, 
became the principal objectof their afiection and their esteem. 
His first exploits were confined to petty ravages, and occa 
sional attacks upon the English : but he soon overthrew the 
English armies and slew their generals. 

7. Edward, who had been over in Flanders while these 
misfortunes happened in England, hastened back with im¬ 
patience to restore his authority, and secure his former con¬ 
quest. He quickly levied the whole force of his dominions 
and at the head of a hundred thousand men directed his 
course to the north, fully resolved to take vengeance upor. 
the Scots for their late defection. 

8. A battle was fought at Falkirk, in which Edward gained 
a complete victory, leaving twelve thousand of the Scots, or 
as some will have it, fifty thousand, dead upon the field, 
while the English had not a hundred slain. A blow so 
dreadful had not as yet entirely crushed the spirit of the 
Scottish nation ; and after a short interval they began to 
breathe from their calamities. 9. Wallace, who had gained 


‘ He was of an ancient family, and was chosen regent of Scotland during 
thp cantivitv of Bnliol. 


EDWARD I. 


91 


ill their regards by his valour, shewed that he still merited 
iliem more by his declining the rewards of ambition. Per 
ceiving flow much he was envied by the nobility, and know* 
nig how prejudicial that envy would prove to the interest? 
of his country, he resigned the regency of the kingdom, 
and humbled himself to a private station. 10. He proposed 
Cummin as the most proper person to supply his room ; and 
that nobleman endeavoured to show himself worthy of this 
pre-eminence. He soon began to annoy the enemy ; and, 
not content with a defensive war, made incursions into the 
southern counties of the kingdom, which Edward had im 
agined wholly subdued. They attacked an army of English 
lying at Roslin, near Edinburgh, and gained a complete 
victorv 

11. But it was not easy for any circumstances of bad 
fortune to repress the enterprising spirit of the king. He 
assembled a great fleet and army ; and entering the frontiers 
of Scotland, appeared with a force which the enemy could 
not think of resisting in the open field. Assured of suc¬ 
cess, he marched along, and traversed the kingdom from 
one end to the other, ravaging the open country, taking all 
the castles, and receiving the submissions of all the nobles. 
12. There seemed to remain only one obstacle to the final 
destruction of the Scottish monarchy, and that was William 
Wallace, who still continued refractory: and wandering 
with a few forces from mountain to mountain, preserved his 
native independence and usual good fortune. But even their 
feeble hopes from him were soon disappointed; he was 
betrayed into the king’s hands by Sir John Monteith, his 
friend, whom he had made acquainted with the place of his 
concealment, being surprised by him as he lay asleep in the 
neighbourhood of Glasgow. 13. The king, willing to 
strike the Scots with an example of severity, ordered him 
to be conducted in chains to London, where he was hanged, 
drawn and quartered, with the most brutal ferocity. 

Robert Bruce, who had been one of the competitors for 
the crown, but was long kept prisoner in London, at length 
escaping from his guards, resolved to strike for his country s 
freedom. 14. Having murdered one of the king’s servants 
he left himself no resource but to confirm by desperate 
ralour what he had begun in cruelty, and he soon expelled 
such of the English forces as had fixed themselves in the 
kingdom. Soon after he was solemnly crowned king, by 
the°bishop of St. Andrew’s, in the abbey of Scone; and 


9*2 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


numbers flocked to his standard, resolved to confirm the 
pretensions. 15. Thus, after twice conquering the king¬ 
dom, and as often pardoning the delinquents ; after having 
spread his victories in every quarter of the country, and 
receiving the most humble submissions ; the old king saw 
that his whole work was to begin afresh, and that nothing 
but the final destruction of the inhabitants could give him 
assurance of tranquillity. But no difficulties could repress 
the ardent spirit of this monarch, who, though now verging 
towards his decline, yet resolved to strike a parting blow, 
and to make the Scots once more tremble at his appearance. 

16. He vowed revenge against the whole nation; and 
averred that nothing but reducing them to the completest 
bondage could satisfy his resentment. He summoned his 
prelates, nobility, and all who held by knight’s service, to 
meet him at Carlisle, which was appointed as the general 
rendezvous : and in the mean time he detached a body of 
forces before him to Scotland, under the command of 
Aymer de Valence, who began the threatened infliction by 
a complete victory over Bruce, near Methven, in Perthshire. 

17. Immediately after this dreadful blow, the resentful king 
appeared in person, entering Scotland with his army di¬ 
vided into two parts, and expecting to find, in the opposi¬ 
tion of the people, a pretext for punishing them. But this 
brave prince, who was never cruel but from motives of 
policy, could not strike the poor submitting natives, who 
made no resistance. His anger was disappointed in their 
humiliation; and he was ashamed to extirpate those who 
only opposed patience to his indignation. 18. IIis death 
put an end to the apprehensions of the Scots, and effectually 
rescued their country from total subjection. He sickened 
and died at Carlisle, of a dysentery: enjoining his son with 
his last breath, to prosecute the enterprise, and never to 
desist till he had finally subdued the kingdom. He ex 
pired July 7, 1307, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and 
the thirty-fifth of his reign ; after having added more to the 
solid interests of the kingdom than any of those who went 
before or succeeded him. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 What circumstances led to the modelling the parliament into its present 

form ? 

2 What was the manner observed in framing the parliament 

3 What was one of their first efforts > 



EDWARD I. 


V'3 

4. Was the king at first favourable to the measure ? 

•* Bv whom was an attempt made to rescue Scotland from the Eng<:sa 
yoke ? 

6 Who were the first adherents of Wallace t 

7 Wuh what number of troops did Edward march towards the north ? 

R. L)id any engagement take place between the forces of Ldwurd and 
Wallace >. 

W hat was the issue of this engagement ? 

9 What was the conduct of Wallace afterwards? 

12 In what manner was Wallace afterwards surprised ? 

I? What was the maimer of h;s death ? 

14 VV hat took place after Bruce’s escape from London ? 

15 W hat was the conduct of the king on this occasion ? 

18 Where did the king die? and what enterprise did he enjoin his son !0 
prosecute ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. a . d . 

Gregory X. 1271 

Innocent V. 1276 

Adrian V. 1276 

John XXI. 1276 

Nicholas III. 1277 

Ma-tin IV. 1281 

Ilonorius IV. 1285 

Nicholas IV. 1288 

Celestme V. 1294 

Boniface VIII. 1294 

Benedict IX. 1303 

Clement V. 1305 

Emperors of the East. 
Michael VI11. 1259 


A.D. 

Andronicus II. 1283 

Emperors of the West. 

Frederic II *. 1212 

Rodolphus 1. 1273 

Adolphus of Nassau 1291 

Albert... 1298 

• 

Kings of France. 

Philip HI. 1270 

Philip IV. 1285 

Kings of Portugal. 

Adolphus III. 1247 

Dennis. 1275 


EMINENT PERSONS. 


Kings of Denmark. 

A D 

Eric VII. 1255 

Eric VIII. 120o 

Kings of Sweden. 

Magnus II. 1279 

bi.-ger II. 1299 

Kings of Scotland. 
Alexander ill.... 1246 

John Baliol. 1292 

Robert Bruce. 1306 


John Peckhani, Robert Winchelsea, Walter Reynolds, arid John Stratford 
archbishops of Canterbury. Richard, earl of Cornwall Rodger Bigod, 
earl of Norfolk. Humphry Bohiin, earl of Hereford. John Pluntagenet, 
carl of Warwick. Roger Bacon. Wicklifie.t 


* After the death of Frederic 11. there was an interregnum in die Western 
empire until Rodolphus; during which the following princes either reigned, 
or were elected: Conrad HI.; William, earl of Holland ; Richard, earl of 
Cornwall; Edward IV.; and Alphonso, king of Castile. —Kuhnian. 

f VVickliffe was the first preacher of the reformed doctrines in England 
he was the anther of a valuable translation of the New Testament, utid of 
several able tracts on the usurpations of the Romish church. 

































04 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

EDWARD II. 

Bora 1284. Died Sept. 21, 1327. Besan to reign July 7, 1307. Reigned 20 year 

SECTION L 

ImmorBed in soft effeminacy’s down. 

The feeble prince ins subjects’ good neglects 

For millions, who monopolize the crown, . 

And stain the sceptre winch their vice protects.— Dibdin. 

1 (A. D. 1307.) Edward, surnamed Caernarvon,* was 

in tne twenty-third year of hi« age when he succeeded his 
father ; of an agreeable figure, of a mild harmless disposi¬ 
tion, and apparently addicted to few vices. Hut he soon 
gave symptoms of his unfitness to succeed so great a mo¬ 
narch as his father ; he was rather fond of the enjoyment 
of his power than of securing it, and lulled by the flattery 
of his courtiers, he thought he had done enough for glory 
when he accepted the crown. 2. Instead, therefore, of 
prosecuting the war against Scotland, according to the in¬ 
junctions he had received from his dying father, he took 
no steps to check the progress of Bruce; his march into 
that country being rather a procession of pageantry than a 
warlike expedition 

3. Weak monarchs are ever governed by favourites ; and 
the first Edward placed his affections upon was Piers 
Gavestone, the son of a Gascon knight, who had been em¬ 
ployed in the service of the late king. The young man 
was adorned with every accomplishment of person and 
mind that was capable of creating affection ; but he was 
utterly destitute of those qualities of heart and understanding 
that serve to procure esteem. lie was beautiful, witty, 
brave, and active; but then he was vicious, effeminate, de¬ 
bauched, and trifling. These were qualities entirely adapted 
to the taste of the young monarch, and he seemed to think no 
rewards equal to his deserts. 4. Gavestone, on the other 
hap* 1 , intoxicated with his power, became haughty and 
overbearing, and treated the English nobility, from whom it 
is probable he received marks of contempt, with scorn and 
derision A conspiracy, therefore, was soon formed against 
him, at the head of which queen Isabel and the earl of 
hancaster, a nobleman of great power, .were associated. 

It was easy to perceive that a combination of the 
nobles, while the queen secretly assisted their designs 

* From the place of hi9 birth, Caernarvon Castle in Walee. 


EDWARD II. 


\)b 

would be too powerful against the efforts of a weak king 
and a vain favourite. The king, timid and wavering, 
banished him (A. I). 1312) at their solicitation, and recalled 
aim soon after. This was sufficient to spread an alarm 
over the whole kingdom ; all the great barons flew to arms, 
and the earl of Lancaster put himself at the head of this 
irresistible confederacy. The unhappy Edward, instead 
of attempting to make resistance, sought only for safety : 
ever happy in the company of his favourite, he embarked 
at Teignmouth, and sailed with him to Scarborough, wheie 
tie left Gavestone as in a place of safety, and then went 
back to York himself, either to raise an army to oppose his 
enemies, or by his presence to allay their animosity. G. In 
the mean time, Gavestone was besieged in Scarborough by 
the earl of Pembroke ; and, had the garrison been sufficiently 
supplied with provisions, the place would have been im 
pregnable. But Gavestone, sensible of the bad condition 
of the garrison, took the earliest opportunity to offer terms 
of capitulation. He stipulated that he should remain in 
Pembroke’s hands as a prisoner for two months ; and that 
endeavours should be used in the mean time for a general 
accommodation. 7. But Pembroke had no intention that 
he should escape so easily : he ordered him to be conducted 
to the castle of Deddington, near Banbury, where, on pre¬ 
tence of other business, he left him with a feeble guard, of 
which the earl of Warwick having received information, 
attacked the castle in which the unfortunate Gavestone was 
confined, and quickly made himself master of his person. 
The earls of Lancaster, Hereford, and Arundel were soon 
apprized of Warwick’s success, and informed that their 
common enemy was now in custody in Warwick castle. 
8. Thither, therefore, tuey hastened with the utmost expe¬ 
dition, to hold a consultation upon the fate of their prisoner 
This was of no long continuance ; they unanimously re¬ 
solved to put him to death, as an enemy to the kingdom 
and gave him no time to prepare for his execution. They 
instantly had him conveyed to a place called Blacklow-hill, 
where a Welsh executioner, provided for that purpose 
severed his head from his body. 

9. To add to Edward’s misfortunes, he soon after suf- 
feied a most signal defeat from the Scots army under Bruce, 
near Bannockburn;* and this drove him once more to seek 

* Near Stirling. V.dward was so sure of conquest, that he brought with 
him William Boston, a Carmelite, and a famous poet, to celebrate hi# victory 


93 


II1ST0RV OF ENGLAND. 


for relief in some favourite’s company. 10. ,r he name of 
his new favourite was Hugh de Spenser, « young man of a 
noble English family, of some merit, and very engaging 
accomplishments. Mis father was a person of a much 
more estimable character than the son ; he was venerable 
for his years, and respected through life for his wisdom, 
his valour, and his integrity. 11. But these excellent qua¬ 
lities were all diminished and vilified from the moment he 
and his son began to share the king’s favour, who even dis¬ 
possessed some lords unjustly of their estates, in order to 
accumulate them upon his favourite. This was a pretext 
the king’s enemies had been long seeking for : the earls ot 
Lancaster and Hereford flew to arms; sentence was pro¬ 
cured from parliament of perpetual exile against the two 
Spensers, and a forfeiture of their fortunes and estates. 
12. 'The king, however, at last rousing from his lethargy, 
took the neui in the defence oi his beloved Spenser, and at 
the head of thirty thousand men pressed the earl of Lan 
easier so closely, that he had not time to collect his forces 
together; and, flying from one place to another, he was at 
last stopped in his way towards Scotland by Sir Andrew 
Harcla, and made prisoner. 18. As he had formerly shown 
little mercy to Gavestone, there was very little extended to 
him upon this occasion. He was condemned by a court- 
martial ; and led, mounted on a lean horse, to an eminence 
near Pomfret, in circumstances of the greatest indignity 
where he was beheaded by a Londoner. 

14. A rebellion, thus crushed, served only to increase the 
pride and rapacity of young Spenser ; most of the forfeitures 
were seized for his use ; and in his promptitude to seize the 
delinquents, he was guiitv of many acts of rapine and iniusr 
fcbe * 


Questions for Examination 

1 What was the disposition of Edward II. ? 

& What was his conduct in regard to Scotland? 

3 What was the character of Gavestone, the king’s first favourite? 

4. Who formed a conspiracy against the king ( 

5. What was the conduct of the king on this occasion ? 


* In the year 1315, the perpetual rains and cold weather having not on I y 
destroyed the harvest, hut produced a mortality among the cattle, the parha 
merit endeavoured to moderate the prices of provisions. The rates establish 
cd were, of our present money, as follows: (or the best ox. not corn fed, 21 
8s.. corn fed, 3/. 12s. ; a (in hog, two years old, 10s.; a fat wether, unshorn, 
5s.. shorn, 3s. 6d .; a fat goose, sevenpence halfpenny; a fat <a(>on, 6 d .; a fat 
non .vi.. *wo chickenR 3d • (bur pigeons. 3d.; and twenty -four etcgs. 3d. 






EDWARD II 


97 

5. Where was Gavestone besieged ? and on what conditions did he sur¬ 
render himself? 

7. 8. Were these conditions observed ? and what was the conductor the uo . 
mes towards him ? 

^ What misfortune did Edward experience m Scotland? 

10 Who were the Spensers ? 

11 On what pretext did the king s enemies fly to arms? 

1“ tfow did the king act on this emergency 

13 What was the manner of executing the earl of Lancaster T 


SECTION II. 

Work what convulsions heave his martyr’d breast. — Lewis 

l. (A I). 1325.) But he was now to oppose a more for 
midable enemy in queen Isabella, a cruel haughty woman, 
who (led over to France, and refused to appear in England 
till Spenser was removed from the royal presence, and ba¬ 
nished the kingdom. By this reply she gained two verv 
considerable advantages : she became popular in England, 
where Spenser was universally disliked ; and she had the 
pleasure of enjoying the company of a young nobleman, 
whose name was Mortimer, upon whom she had lately placed 
her affections, and whom she indulged with all the familiari- 
ties that her criiniual passion could confer. 2. The queen’s 
court now, therefore, became a sanctuary for all the male 
contents who were banished their own country, or who chose 
to come over. Accordingly, soon after, accompanied by 
three thousand men-at-arms, she set out from Dort* harbour, 
and landed safely, without opposition, on the coast of Suf¬ 
folk. She had no sooner appeared than there seemed a ge¬ 
neral revolt in her favour: and the unfortunate king found 
die spirit of disloyalty was not confined to the capital alone, 
but diffused over the whole kingdom. 3. He had placed 
some dependence upon the garrison which was stationed in 
the castle of Bristol, under the command of the elder Spen¬ 
ser ; but they mutinied against their governor, and dial un¬ 
fortunate favourite was delivered up, and condemned by the 
tumultuous barons to the most ignominious death. lie was 
Hanged on a gibbet, in his armour ; his body was cut in 
pieces and thrown to the dogs ; and his head was sent to 
Winchester, where it was set upon a pole, and exposed to 
the populace. 

* Dort, or Dordrecht, is a city of Holland, situated on an island o!' the 
Meuse. By an irruption of the river Meuse, severity-two villages and <ne 
amid red thousand persons were lost. It is said to have been occasioned by 
the malice of a man, who wished to inundate his neighboti ’s ground, by de 
Stroying'he dyke neat his house 








D8 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


4. Young Spenser, the unhappy son, did not long survive 
his father ; he was taken, with some others who had follow 
ed the fortunes of the wretched king, in an obscure convent 
in Wales, and the merciless victors resolved to glut their 
revenge in adding insult to cruelty. The queen had not pa¬ 
tience to wait the formality of a trial, but ordered him imme¬ 
diately to be led forth before the insulting populace, and 
seemed to take a savage pleasure in feasting her eyes with 
his distresses 5. 'The gibbet erected for his execution was 
fifty feet high ; his head was sent to London, where the citi¬ 
zens received it in brutal triumph, and fixed it on the bridge 
Several other lords also shared his fate; all deserving pity in¬ 
deed, had they not themselves formerly justified the present 
inhumanity by setting a cruel example. 

6. In the mean time, the king, who hoped to find refuge in 
Wales, w r as quickly discovered, and delivered up to Ins ad¬ 
versaries, who expressed their satisfaction in the grossness 
of their treatment. He w r as conducted to the capital, amidst 
the insults and reproaches of the people, and confined in the 
Tower. A charge was soon after exhibited against him, in 
which no other crimes but his incapacity to govern, his in 
dole nee, his love of pleasure, and his being swayed by evil 
counsellors, w'ere objected against him. His deposition was 
quickly voted by parliament; he was assigned a pension foi 
his support: his son Edward, a youth of fourteen, was fix¬ 
ed upon to succeed him, and the queen was appointed regent 
during the minority. 7. The deposed monarch but a short 
time survived his misfortunes : he was sent from prison to 
prison, a wretched outcast, and the sport of his inhuman 
keepers. He had been at first consigned to the custody of the 
earl of Lancaster ; but this nobleman showing some marks ol 
respect and pity, lie was taken out of his hands, and delivered 
over to lords Berkeley, Montravers, and Gournay, who were 
intrusted with the charge of guarding him a month about. 8. 
Whatever his treatment from lord Berkeley might have been, 
the other two seemed resolved that he should enjoy none ol 
the comforts of life while in their custody. They practised 
every kind of indignity upon him, as if their design had 
been to accelerate his death by the bitterness of his suffer¬ 
ings. (AT). 1328.) But when his persecutors saw that 
Ins death might not arrive, even under every cruelty, till a 
revolution had been made in his favour, thev resolved to iid 
themselves of their fears by destroying him at once. 9 
&couidingiy his two keepers Gournay and Montravers 



EDWARD ill. 


<J9 

came to Berkeley castle, where Edward was then confined 
And murdered him by a most cruel and torturing process 
which left no marks of external violence. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What other enemy had Edward now to oppose ? 

2. Was there any revolt in the queen's favour ? and by whom was she a 

comparand * 

3. What liapjiened to the Hder Spenser ? 

5. In what manner was the younger Spenser executed? 

6 What were the proceedings against (lie king ? 

7 Did the king long survive his inislorlunes ? 

8 Can you relate the indignities practised upon him ? 

9 What was the manner of the king’s murder ? and by whom was it com¬ 

mitted ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

A.D. 

Clement V. 1305 

John XXII. I31f) 

Emperors o f the East. 
Androuicus II. 1283 


A . I). 

Lewis IV. 1314 

Kings of France. 

Philip IV. 1284 

Lewis X. 1314 

Philip V. 131tj 


Kings of Denmark. 

A D. 

Eric VIII. 1286 

Christopher II. 1319 

Kings of Sweden. 
Berger II. 1290 


Andromcus ill.... 1320 Charles IV. 1322/ Magnus III. 1320 


Emperors of the West. 

Albert 1. 1298 


Kings of Portuga King of Scotland. 

Dennis. 1272, Robert Bruce. 1306 


lle:iry VIII. 1304 Alpbonsus IV. 1325' 

EMINENT PERSONS. 


John Oflbrd, archbishop of Canterbury. Thomas Plantagenet, earl of Lan 
easier. Roger, lord Mortimer; Piers Gavestone and the two Spensers, la 
v.juntes of the king. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

EDWARD III. 

Born 1312 Died June 21,1377. Began to reign Sept. 22, 1327. Reigmxl nearly 

50 years. 

SECTION I. 

With form and aspect to command respect. 

With mind, desert and talent to protect, 

Edward presents a model t<> admire: 

His subjects' hearts before their sovereign bend. 

The widow’s guardian anil the orphan’s sire ; 

Foe to the vicious, to the good a Iriend. — Dibdvn. 

]. (A.D. 1327.) The parliament by which ycung Ed¬ 
ward was raised to the throne, during the life of nis fat.ie r 
appointed twelve persons as his privy counsel, to direct the 
o perations of government. Mortimer, the queen’s favourite 


























100 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


who mignt naturally be set down as one of the members, 
artfully excluded himself, under a pretended show of inode- 
ration ; but at the same time he secretly influenced ai 
the measures that came under their deliberation. 2. lie 
caused the greater part of the royal revenues to be settled 
on the queen-dowager, and he seldom took the tumble to 
consult the ministers of government in any public undertak 
"ng. The king himself was even so besieged by the fa- 
ourite’s creatures, that no access could be procured to him, 
§nd the whole sovereign authority was shared between 
Mortimer and the queen, who took no care to conceal her 
criminal attachment. 

3. At length, however, Edward was resolved to shake ofl 
an authority that was odious to the nation, and particularly 
restrictive upon him. But such was the power of the fa¬ 
vourite, that it required as much precaution to overturn the 
usurper as to establish the throne. The queen and Morti¬ 
mer had for some time chosen the castle of Nottingham for 
the place of their residence ; it was strictly guarded, the 
gates locked every evening, and the keys carried to the 
queen. 4. It was therefore agreed between the king and 
some of the barons, who secretly entered into his designs, 
to seize upon them in the fortress ; and for that purpose Sir 
William Bland, the governor, was induced to admit them 
by a secret subterraneous passage, which had been formerly 
contrived for an outlet, but was now hidden with rubbish, 
and known only to one or two. It was by this, therefore, 
the noblemen in the king’s interest entered in the night ; and 
Mortimer, without having it in his power to make any re¬ 
sistance, was seized in apartments adjoining those of the 
queen. 5. It was in vain that she endeavoured to protect 
him ; in vain she entreated them to spare her “ gentle Mor¬ 
timer the barons, deaf to her entreaties, denied her that 
pity which she had so often refused to others. Her para¬ 
mour was condemned by the parliament, which was then 
sitting, without being permitted to make his defence, or even 
examining a witness against him. He was hanged on a 
gibbet, at a place called Elms, about a mile from London, 
where his body was left hanging for two days after. 6. The 
queen, who certainly was the most culpable, was shielded 
by the dignity of her station ; she was only disgraced from 
ill share of power, and confined for life in the castle of Hid¬ 
ings, with a pension of three thousand pounds a year. From 
this confinement she was never after set free ; and though 


EDWARD Ill. 


iOl 


lie king annually paid her a visit of decent ceremony, yet 
she found herself abandoned to universal contempt and de¬ 
testation ; and continued, for about twenty-five years after,a 
miseiable monument of blighted ambition. 

7. In order still more to secure the people's affections, 
Edward made a successful irruption into Scotland, in which, 
in one battle, fought at llalidon hill, about thirty thousand 
of the Scots were slain. Soon after, he turned his arms 
against France, which was at that lime particularly unfortu¬ 
nate. Three sons of Philip the Fair, in full parliament, ac¬ 
cused their wives of adultery ; and in consequence of this 
accusation, they were condemned and imprisoned for life. 

8. Lewis Hutin, successor to the crown of France, caused 
his wife to he strangled, and her lovers to he Hayed alive. 
&fter his death, as he left only a daughter, his non brother, 
Philip the 'Pall, assumed the crown in prejudice of the 
daughter, and vindicated his title by the Salic law, which 
laid it down that no female should succeed to the crown. 
Edward, however, urged his pretensions, as hein^, by his 
mother Isabella, who was daughter to Philip the Fair, and 
sister to the three last kings of France, rightful heir to the 
crown. But first lie, in a formal manner, consulted his par¬ 
liament on the propriety of the undertaking, obtained their 
approbation, received a proper supply of wool, which he 
intended to barter with the Flemings ; and being attended 
with a body of English forces, and several of his nobility, 
he sailed into Flanders, big with his intended conquests. 

9. The first great advantage gained by ihe English was in 
a naval engagement on the coast of Flanders, in which ihe 
French lost two hundred and thirty ships, and had thirty 
tiiousand of their seamen and two of their admirals slain. 

10. 'Phe intelligence of Edward’s landing, and the dev is* 
' tation caused by his troops, who dispersed themselves over 

the whole face of the country, soon spread universal conster¬ 
nation through the French court. Caen was taken and 
plundered bv the English without mercy ; the villages and 
towns, even up to Paris, shared the same fate; and the 
trench had no other resource, but by breaking down tiieir 
bridges, to attempt putting a stop to the invader's career. 

11. Philip, then king of France, was not idle in making pre 
partitions to repress the enemy. He had stationed one of 
his generals, Godeinar de Faye, with an army on the oppo- 
s iq>^i(Ieof the river Somme, over which Edward was to 

i 2 


102 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


pass; while he himself, at the head of one hundred thou* 
sand fighting men, advanced to give the English battle. 

12. As botli armies had for some time been in sight of 
each other, nothing was so eagerly expected on each side as 
a battle; and although the forces were extremely dispropor¬ 
tionate, the English amounting only to thirty thousand, the 
French to a hundred and twenty thousand, yet Edward re- 

olved to indulge the impetuosity of his troops, and to put all 
o the hazard of a battle. He accordingly chose his ground 
witli advantage, near the village of Crecy,* and there deter- 
mined to wait with tranquillity the shock of the enemy. He 
drew up his men on a gentle ascent, and divided them into 
three lines. The first was commanded by the young prince 
of Wales ; the second was conducted by the earls of North¬ 
ampton and Arundel; and the third, kept as a body of re- 
serve, was headed by the king in person. 

13. On the other side, Philip, impelled by resentment, 
and confident of his numbers, was more solicitous in bring¬ 
ing the enemy to an engagement than prudent in taking 
measures for its success. He led on his army in three 
bodies opposite to those of the English. The first line con¬ 
sisted of fifteen thousand Genoese cross-bow men, the second 
body was led by the king of France’s brother, and he him¬ 
self was at the head of the third. 


Questions for Examination . 

2. By whom, and in what manner, were the operations of the government 
conducted ? 

4. What was the conduct of the king at this time ? 
ft. What was the fate of Mortimer ? 

What was the queen’s punishment? 

7. In what undertaking did Edward succeed? 

8. What is the Salic law ? 

9. What was the first advantage gained by the English ? 

10. What did the English in France? 

11. What preparations did the king of France make to oppose Edward ? 

12. Where did Edward choose his ground ? 

IIow did he draw up his army ? and who conducted it? 

13 How did Philip lead on his army ? 

’"Here ihe king of Bohemia was slain, and the mrtto, *• Tch dien," I serve 
A-ns found under the ostrich feathers which he wore on his helmet. Edw&rd 
he Black Prince, adopted this motto, and it has eversir.ee continued tc, be 
he motto of the prince of Wales. At this battle cannon were first made 
use of 





EDWAKD III. 


1(K 


SECTION II. 

Ir frequent showers their shafts the archers hail’d. 

In headlong charge successive hosts assail’d: 

Bat motionless as his own island's rocks. 

Undaunted Edward met their furious shocks.— Cooks. 

1. (A.I). 1340.) About three in the afternoon, the famous 
battle of Crecy began, by the French king’s ordering the 
Genoese archers to charge; but they were so fatigued with 
•heir march, that they cried out for a little rest before they 
should engage. The count Alen^on, being informed of their 
petition, rode up, and reviled them as cowards, commanding 
them to begin their onset without delay. Their reluctance 
to begin was still more increased by a heavy shower, which 
fell at that instant, and relaxed their bow-strings ; so that 
the discharge they made produced but very little effect. 2. 
On the other hand, the Fmglish archers, who had kept their 
bows in cases, and were favoured by a sudden gleam of sun¬ 
shine, that rather dazzled the enemy, let tiy their arrows so 
thick, and with such good aim, that nothing was to be seen 
among the Genoese but hurry, terror, and dismay. The 
young prince of Wales had presence of mind to take advan¬ 
tage of their confusion, and to lead on his line to the charge. 
The French cavalry, however, commanded by the count 
Alen^on, wheeling round, sustained the combat, and began 
to hem the English in. 3. The earls of Arundel and North¬ 
ampton now came to assist the prince, who appeared fore¬ 
most in the very shock ; and, wherever he appeared, turned 
the fortune of the day. The thickest of the battle was now 
gathered around him, and the valour of a boy filled even 
veterans with astonishment; but their surprise at his courage 
could not give way to their fears for his safety. Being ap¬ 
prehensive that some mischance might happen to him at the 
end, an officer was despatched to the king, desiring that suc¬ 
cours might be sent to the prince’s relief. 4. Edward, who 
had all this time with great tranquillity, viewed the engage¬ 
ment from a windmill, demanded, with seeming deliberation, 
if his son were dead ; but being answered that he still lived, 
and was giving astonishing instances of his valour, “ Then 
tell my generals,” cried the king, “that he shall have no as¬ 
sistance from me ; the honour of the day shall be his ; let 
him show himself worthy of the profession of arms, and 
let him be indebted to his own merit alone for victory.” 5 
This speech, being reported to the prince and his attendants 
inspired them with new courage; they made a fresh attack 
upon the French cavalry, and count Alen^on, their bravest 


104 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 



King Sdward III. and the burgesses of Calais. 


commander, was slain. This was the beginning of their 
total overthrow; the French, being now without a compe¬ 
tent leader, were thrown into confusion ; the whole army 
took to flight, and were put to the sword by the pursuers 
without mercy, till night stopped the carnage. 6. Never 
was a victory more seasonable, or less bloody to the English, 
than this Notwithstanding the great slaughter of the enemy, 
the conquerors lost but one squire, three knights, and a few 
of inferior rank. 

But this victory was attended with still more substantial 
advantages ; for Edward, as moderate in conquest as prudent 
in his methods to obtain it, resolved to secure an easy en¬ 
trance into France for the future. 7. With this view he laid 
siege to Calais, at that time defended by John de Vienne, 
an experienced commander, and supplied with every thing 
necessary for defence. These operations, though slow 
were at length successful. It was in vain that the governor 
made a noble defence, that he excluded all the useless 
mouths from the city, which Edward generously permitted 
to pass. 8. Edward resolved to reduce it by famine, and 
it was at length taken, after a twelve months’ siege, the de 
fendants having been reduced to the last extremity. He re¬ 
solved to punish the obstinacy of the townsmen bv the death 
of six of the most considerable citizens, who offered them 
selves, with ropes round their necks, to satiate his indigna¬ 
tion ; buthe spared their lives at the intercession of the queen 















































EDWARD III. 


205 

9 While Edward was reaping victories upon the conti* 
amt, the Scots, ever willing to embrace a favourable oppor¬ 
tunity of rapine and revenge, invaded the frontiers v\ ith a 
numerous army, headed by David Bruce, their king. This 
unexpected invasion, at such a juncture, alarmed the English, 
but was not capable of intimidating them. 10. Lionel, 
Edward’s son, who was left guardian, of England during his 
father’s absence, was yet too young to take upon him the 
command of an army ; but the victories on the continent 
seemed to inspire even women with valour. Philippa, Ed¬ 
ward’s queen, took upon her the conduct of the held, and 
prepared to repulse the enemy in person : accordingly, hav¬ 
ing made lord Percy general under her, she met the Scots at 
a place called Nevil’s Cross, near Durham, and offered them 
battle. 11. 'Pile Scots king was no less impatient to engage ; 
he imagined that he might obtain an easy victory against 
undisciplined troops, and headed by a woman. But he was 
miserably deceived. His army was quickly routed and 
driven from the held. Fifteen thousand of his men were 
cut to pieces ; and he himself, with many of his nobles and 
knights, were taken prisoners, and carried in triumph to 
London, A.D. 134G. 

12. A victory gained by the Black Prince.* near Poictiers, 
followed not long after, in which John, king of France, was 
taken prisoner, and led in triumph through London, amidst 
an amazing concourse of spectators. Two kings, prisoners 
in the same court, and at the same time, were considered as 
glorious achievements ; but all that England gained by them 
was only glory. Whatever was won in France, with all 
the dangers of war, and the expense of preparation, was 
successively, and in a manner, silently lost, without the 
mortification of a defeat. 

13. The English, by their frequent supplies, had been 
quite exhausted, and were unable to continue an army in the 
held. Charles, who had succeeded his father John, who 
died a prisoner in the Savoy, on the other hand, cautiously 
forbore to come to any decisive engagement; but was con¬ 
tent to let his enemies waste their strength in attempts to 
plurder a fortified country. When they were tired, he theu 
was sure to sally forth, and possess himself of such places 
as they were not strong enough to defend. 14. He first fell 
upon Ponthieu ; the citizens of Abbeville opened their gates 
to nun ; those of St. Valois, Rue, and Crotoy imitated tiio 

* Kdward, the Prince of Wales. He was called the Black Prince 
form the coPr of his armor. 


DISTORT OF ENGLAND. 


106 

example, and the whole country was, in a little lime, re¬ 
duced to total submission. The southern provinces were, 
in the same manner, invaded by his generals with equal 
success; while the Black Prince, destitute of supplies from 
England, and wasted by a cruel and consumptive disorder, 
was obliged to return to his native country, leaving the 
affairs of the south of France in a most desperate condition. 

15. But what of all other things served to cast a gloom 
ever the latter part of this splendid reign was the approach 
mg death of the Black Prince, whose constitution showed 
but too manifestly the symptoms of a speedy dissolution. 
This valiant and accomplished prince died in the forty- 
sixth year of his age, leaving behind him a character 
without a single blemish; and a degree of sorrow among 
the people that time could scarcely alleviate. 

16. The king was most sensibly affected with the loss of 

his son, and tried every art to allay his uneasiness. He 
r e moved himself entirely from the duties and burdens of the 
state, and left his kingdom to be plundered by a set of rapa¬ 
cious ministers. He <1 id not survive the consequences of 
his bad conduct, but died about a year after the prince, at 
Sheene, in Surrey, deserted by all his courtiers, even bv 
those who had grown rich by his bounty. He expired 
m the sixty-fifth year of his age, and fifty-first of his 
reign, 1377 ; a prince more admired than beloved by bis 

subjects, and more an object of their applause than their 

sorrow. 

17. It was in this reign that the order of the Garter was 

nstituted ; the number was to consist of twenty-four per 
sons besides the king. A story prevails, but unsupported 
by any ancient authority, that the countess of Salisbury, at 
a ball, happening to drop her garter, the king took it up, 
and presented it to her with these words, “ Honi soi qui 

mal y pen.se —“ Evil be to him that evil thinks.” This 

accident, it is said, gave rise to the order and the motto * 
A. I). 134‘J 

Edward left many children by his queen, Philippa of 
Hainhault. His eldest son, the Black Prince, died belore 


* “ Some do affirme, that this order beganne fyrst by king Richard Coeur up 
Linn, at the siege of the citie of Acres, where in bis greaie necessytie there 
was but twenty-five knights that firmlyeand surelye abode by him, where h? 
iv-ed al. of them to wear thonges of blue leythere abu.nre their leggos, and 
norwards they were called knights ’’— liaslell's Chronuit 


EDWARD III. 


107 

him; but he left a sun named Richard, who succeeded to the 
hrone.* 


Questions fur Examination. 

1. Describe the situation and conduct of the Genoese archers. 

2. What circumstances operated in favour of the English archers • 

What advantage did the prince of Wales take ol it ? 

3 What astonishing bravery did the prince display ? 

4. What answer did the king make, when he was requested to send relief 
to the prince ? 

6 I low many dal the English lose in the battle? 

8. How long did Edward besiege Calais ? 

9. What did the Scots in the mean time ? 

10. What liemaie prepared to repulse the enemy? 

11. What was the fate of the Scotch ? 

12 What did England gain by its royal prisoners? 

14. What obliged the Black Prince to return to England ? 

15. What character is given of the prince ? 

17. When was the order of the Garter instituted ? 

What accident is said to have given rise to the institution of this order 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

A.T). 

John XII. 131 f> 

Benedict XI. 1334 

Clement VI. 1342 

Innocent VI. 1352 

Urban V. 1302 

Gregory XI. 1370 

Emperors of the East. 
Andronieus Ill.... 1320 

John V. 1341 

John VI. 1355 

Emperors of the West. 
Louis IV. 1314 


A.D. 

Charles IV. 1347 


Kings of France. 


Charles IV. 

1322 

Philip VI. 

1328 

John I. 

1353 

Charles V. 

1364 

Kings of Poring 

at. 

Aiphonsus IV.... 

1325 

Pedro I. 

1357 

Ferdinand I. 

1367 


Kings of Denmark. 
Christopher II.... 1319 


A.D. 

Waldemar III... 1340 
Olaus 111. 1375 

Kings of Sweden. 

Magnus ill . 1320 

Albert. 1303 

Kings of Scotland. 
Robert Bruce.... 1300 

David 11. 1330 

Edward Baliol... 1332 
David II. trestor.) 1342 
Robert (Stuart) II 1370 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Thomas Bradwardin, Simon Islip, Simon Langham, William Whittlesey, 
arid Simon Sudbury, archbishops of Canterbury. Ed w ard, the Black 1’rincc 
Mm Lord Chaudos. Latimer, the lord chamberlain, &c. 


* In thiA reign the statute of high-treason was first enacted. St. Stephen’s 
chapel (now the house of commons; was built, and Windsor castle cftUnged 
from a fortreeo to a palace. 






























108 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XV. 

RICHARD II. 

Born 1367. Deposed Sept. 30, 1390. Died Jan. 10, 1400. Began to reign 
June 21, 1377. Reigned 22^ vears. 

SECTION I. 

Sprung from a sire and grandsire of renown, 

Yet he was scarce deserving of a crown. — Egerton. 

1. (A. I). 1377.) Richard the Second was but eleien 
years old when lie came to the throne of his grandfather 
and found the people discontented and poor, the nobles 
proud and rebellious. As he was a minor, the government 
was vested in the hands of his three uncles, the dukes of 
Lancaster, York, and Gloucester; and as the late king had 
left the kingdom involved in many dangerous and expensive 
wars, which demanded large and constant supplies, the 
murmurs of the people increased in proportion. 2. The 
expenses of armaments to face the enemy on every side, 
and a want of economy in the administration, entirely ex¬ 
hausted the treasury ; and a new tax of three groats on 
every person above fifteen was granted by parliament as a 
supply. The indignation of the people had been for some 
time increasing; but a tax so unequitable, in which the 
rich paid no more than the poor, kindled the resentment of 
the latter into a flame. 3. It began in Essex, where a 
report was industriously spread that the peasants were to be 
destroyed, their houses burned, and their farms plundered. 
A blacksmith, well known by the name of Wat Tyler, was 
the first that incited them to arms. 'The tax-gatherers 
coming to this man’s house while he was at work, demanded 
payment for his daughter, which he refused, alleging she 
was under the age mentioned in the act. 4. One of the 
brutal collectors insisted on her being a full-grown woman, 
and behaved in the most indecent manner. This provoked 
the father to such a degree, that he instantly struck him 
dead with a blow of his hammer. The standers-by ap 
plauded his spirit, and one and all resolved to defend his con¬ 
duct, He was considered as a champion in the cause, and 
appointed the leader and spokesman of the people, o. It 
ig easy to imagine the disorders committed by this tumultuous 
rabble ; the whole neighbourhood rose in arms: they burned 


RICHARD II. 


100 


ana plundered wherever they came, and revenged upon their 
former masters all those insults which they had long sus 
tamed with impunity. As the discontent was general, the 
insurgents increased in proportion as they approached the 
capital The flame soon propagated itself into Kent, Ilt re- 
fordshire, Surrey, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, and Lincoln. 
6. They were found to amount to above a hundred thousand 
men by the time they arrived at Blackheath. At the head 
ot one party of these was Wat Tyler, who led his men 
into Smithfiehl, where he was met by the king, who invited 
him to a conference, under a pretence of hearing and re¬ 
dressing his grievances. Tyler, ordering his companions 
to retire till he should give them a signal, boldly ventured 
to meet the king in the midst of his retinue, and accordingly 
began the conference. 7. The demands of this demagogue 
are censured by all the historians of the time as insolent 
and extravagant; and yet nothing can be more just than 
those they have delivered for him. He required that all 
slaves should be set free, and all commonages should be 
open to the poor as well as the rich; and that a general 
pardon should be passed for the late outrages. 8. Whilst 
he made these demands, he now and then lifted up his 
sword in a menacing manner: which insolence so raised the 
indignation of William Walworth, then mayor of London 
attending on the king, that without considering the danger 
to which he exposed his majesty, he stunned Tyler with a 
blow of his mace, while one of the king’s knights, riding 
up, despatched him with his sword. 9. The mutineers, 
seeing their leader fall, prepared themselves to take revenge; 
and their bows were now bent for execution, when Richard, 
though not yet quite sixteen years of age, rode up to the rebels 
and with admirable presence of mind, cried out, “ What, 
my people, will you then kill your king ? Be not concerned 
for the loss of your leader; I myself will now he your 
general; follow me now into the Held, and you shall have 
whatever you desire.” The awed multitude immediately 
desisted : they followed the king, as if mechanically, into 
the field, and there he granted them the same charter that 
he had before given to their companions, but which he soon 
iflcrwards revoked in parliament.* 


* Gower, ihe poet, wrote some Latin verses on this rebellion, part of which 
ue here inserted, as a specimen of the literature of this reign ; nor will the 
Oe less acceptable, we trust, from the ludicrous effect produced by putting 
English nick-names into a Latin dress: 


110 


HISTORY CF ENGLAND. 


10. Hitherto the king had acted under the control of the 
regency, who did all they could devise to abridge his power. 
However, in an extraordinary council of the nobility, as¬ 
sembled after Easter, he, to the astonishment ot all present, 
desired to know his age ; and being told that he was tuned 
of tw'o-and-tvventy, he alleged that it was time then for him 
to govern without help ; and that there was no reason 'hat 
he should be deprived of those rights which the meanes' of 
his subjects enjoyed. 

11. Being thus set at liberty to conduct the business of 
government at discretion, it quickly appeared that he wanted 
those arts that are usually found to procure a lasting respect; 
he was fond of luxurious pleasures and idle ostentation he 
admitted the meanest ranks to his familiarity ; and his '.on- 
versation was not adapted to impress them with a revermce 
for his morals or abilities. 12. The cruelly shown to the 
duke of Gloucester, who, upon slight suspicions, u'as 'ent 
to confinement in Calais, and there murdered in prison, 
with some other acts equally arbitrary, did not fail tc in¬ 
crease those animosities which had already taken deep *oot 
in the kingdom. The aggrandizement of some new fav Mir- 
ites contributed still more to make the king odious; but 
though he seemed resolved, by all his actions, to set his 
subjects against him, it was accident that gave occasion for 
his overthrow. 13. The duke of Hereford appearer in 
parliament, and accused the duke of Norfolk of having 
spoken seditious words against his majesty in a private -cm 
versation. Norfolk denied the charge, gave Hereford '‘He 
lie, and offered to prove his innocence by single col 


“Watte vocat eui Thoma venit, neque Symme retardat, 
Batque, GiBBEsimul, Hykke venire subent. 

Co i.le furit quern Bobbe jnvat, noeunienta parantes, 

Corn qtiibus ad damnum Wii.i.e coire voiat. 

Grigge rapit, dum Davie strepit. comes esi quibus Hobbe 
Larkin et in medio non minor esse puiat. 

II uDDE ferit, quern JijDDE teril, dum Tibbe juvatui, 

Jacke domosque viros vellit, et ense neeat,” &e. 

Which are thus humorous/y translated by Andrews. 

Wat rries, Tom flies, nor Symkin stays aside; 

And Batt and Gibb, and Hyke, they summon loud, 

Collin and Hob combustibles provide. 

While Will die mischief forwards in the crowd 

Greg hawls, Bob hauls, and Davy joins the cry, 

With Lary, not the least among the throng ; 

Hodge 'ruhs, .Iude scrubs, while Tib stands grinning by, 
Arid * ack with sword and fire-brand madly strides along. 



RICHARD II. 


Ill 


As proofs were wanting for legal trial, the lords readily ac¬ 
quiesced in that mode of determination ; the time and place 
were appointed, and the whole nation waited with anxious 
suspense for the event. 14. At length the day arrived on 
which the duel was to be fought; and the champions having 
just begun their career, the king stopped the combat, and 
ordeied both the combatants to leave the kingdom. The 
duke of Norfolk he banished for life, but the duke of Here¬ 
ford only for ten years. Thus the one was condemned to 
exile without being charged with any offence, and the other 
without being convicted of any crime. The duke of Nor¬ 
folk was overwhelmed with grief and despondence at the 
judgment awarded against him : he retired to Venice, where, 
in a little time after, he died of a broken heart. 15. Here¬ 
ford’s behaviour on this occasion was resigned and sub¬ 
missive, which so pleased the king, that he consented to 
shorten the date of his banishment four years ; and he also 
granted him letters patent, ensuring him the enjoyment of 
any inheritance which should fall to him during his absence; 
but upon the death of his father, the duke of Lancaster 
which happened shortly after, Richard revoked those letters, 
and retained the possession of the Lancaster estate to him¬ 
self. A. D. 1388. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. At what age and under what circumstances did Richard come to the 
throne ? 

2 In whose hands was the government vested ? 

3. Who was the first person that excited the people to arms? 

5, 6. What disorders were committed by the rebels? and who was theif 
leader ? 

7. What conditions were requested from the king by Wat Tyler? 

8 By whom was Wat Tyler slain ? 

9 What was the conduct of the king on this occasion? 

10. Did the subsequent conduct of the king serve to make him respected by 
his subjects ? 

13 What gave occasion to his overthrow ? 

11 With what severity did the king treat Norfolk and Hereford ? 


SECTION II. 

0 

O ! let us then intestive discord shun 

We ne'er can be Lut by ourselves undone. — Savage. 

j (A. H. 1398.) Such complicated injuries' served to 
inflame the resentment of Hereford against the king; and 
although he had hitherto concealed it, he now set no hounds 
to his indignation, but even conceived a desire of dethroning 





112 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


a person who had shown himself so unworthy of pown 
Indeed, no man could he better qualified for an enterprise 
of this nature than the earl of Hereford; lie was cool, 
cautious, discerning, and resolute. 2. He had served with 
distinction against the infidels of Lithuania; and lie bad 
thus joined to his other merits those of piety and valour, 
lie was stimulated by private injuries, and had alliance and 
fortune sufficient to give weight to his measures, lie only 
waited the absence of the king from England to put his 
schemes into execution; and Richard’s going over into Ire¬ 
land, to quell an insurrection there, was the opportunity he 
had long looked for. 

3. Accordingly he instantly embarked at Nantz, with a 
retinue of sixty persons, in three small vessels, and landed 
at Ravenspur, in Yorkshire. The ear' of Northumberland, 
who had long been a malecontent, together with Henry Percy, 
his son, who, from his ardent valour, was surnamed Hot' 
spur, immediately joined them with their forces. After this 
junction the concourse of people coming to enlist under 
his banner was so great, that in a few days his army 
amounted to sixty thousand rnen. 

4. While these things were transacting in England, 
Richard continued in Ireland in perfect security. Contrary 
winds, for three weeks together, prevented bis receiving any 
news of the rebellion which had begun in his native do¬ 
minions ; wherefore, upon landing at Milford Haven with a 
body of twenty thousand men, he saw himself in a dreadful 
situation, in the midst of an enraged people, without an* 
friend on whom to rely ; and forsaken oy those who, in the 
sunshine of his power, bad only contributed to fan his 
follies. 5. His little ajmy gradually began to desert him, 
till at last he found that he had not above six thousand men 
who followed his standard. Thus not knowing whom to 
trust, or where to turn, he saw no other hopes of safety 
but to throw himsell upon the generosity of the enemy, 
and to gain from pity what he could>not obtain by arms. 
He therefore sent Hereford word that he was ready to sub- 
mit to whatever terms he thought proper tb prescribe, and 
that he earnestly desired a conference. 6. For-tbis pur 
pose the earl appointed him to meet at a castle within about 
ten miles of Chester, where he came next day with his 
army. Richard, who the day before had been brought 
•hither by the duke of Northumberland, descrying his 
rival’s approach from the walls, went down to receive him 


RICHARD II. 


113 


tvhile Hereford, after some ceremony, entered the castle in 
complete armour, only liis head was bare, in compliment to 
the fallen king. 7. Richard received him with that open 
air for which he had been remarkable, and kindly bade 
him welcome. “ My lord king,” returned the earl, with a 
cool respectful bow, “I am come sooner than you appointed, 
because your people say, that for one-and-twenty years you 
have governed with rigour and indiscretion. They are 
very ill satisfied with your conduct; but if it please God, 1 
will help you to govern them better for the time to come.” 
To this declaration the king made no other answer but 
'* Fair cousin, since it pleases you, it pleases us likewise.” 

8 But Hereford’s haughty answer was not the only 
mortification the unfortunate Richard was to endure. After 
a short conversation with some of the king’s attendants, 
Hereford ordered the king’s horses to be brought out of the 
stable ; and the wretched animals being produced, Richard 
was placed upon one, and his favourite, the earl of Salis¬ 
bury, on the other. 9. In this mean equipage they rode to 
Chester; and were conveyed to the castle with a great 
noise of trumpets, and through a vast concourse of people, 
who were no way moved at the sight. In this manner he 
was led triumphantly along from town to town, amidst mul¬ 
titudes, who scoffed at him, and extolled his rivals. “ Long 
live the good duke of Lancaster, our deliverer !” was the 
general cry ; but as for the king, to use the pathetic words 
of the poet, “ None cried God bless him !” 10. Thus, 

alter repeated indignities, he was confined a close prisoner 
m the Tower, there, if possible, to undergo a still greater 
variety of studied insolence and flagrant contempt. The 
wretched monarch, humbled in this manner, began to lose 
the pride of a king with the splendours of royalty, and his 
spirit sunk to his circumstances. There was no great dif¬ 
ficulty, therefore, in inducing him to sign a deed, by which 
he renounced his crown, as being unqualified for governing 
the kingdom. 11. Upon this resignation Hereford founded 
his principal claim : but, willing to fortify his pretensions 
with every appearance of justice, he called a parliament., 
which was readily brought to approve and confirm his 
claim. A frivolous charge, of thirty-three articles, was 
drawn up, and found valid against the king ; upon which 
he was solemnly deposed, and the earl of Hereford elected 
in his stead, by the title of Henry the Fourth. 12. Thus 
began the contest between the houses of York and Lancas* 

k 2 


114 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



Richard II. surrendering his crown. 


ter ; which, for several years after, deluged the kingdom 
with blood ; and yet, in the end, contributed to settle and 
confirm the constitution. 

13. When Richard was deposed, the earl of Northum- 

A 

berland made a motion in the house of peers, demanding 
the advice of parliament with regard to the future treatment 
of the deposed king. To this they replied, that he should 
be imprisoned in some secure place, where his friends and 
partizans should not be able to find him. This was accord¬ 
ingly put in practice ; but while he still continued alive, the 
usurper could not remain in safety. Indeed, some conspi¬ 
racies and commotions which followed soon after, induced 
Henry to wish for Richard’s death ; in consequence of 
which, one of those assassins that are found in every court, 
ready to commit the most horrid crimes for reward, went 
down to the place of this unfortunate monarch’s confinement 
in the castle of Pomfret, atid with eight of Ins followers, 
rushed into his apartments. 14. The king, concluding’ their 
design was to take away his life, resolved not to fall un¬ 
revenged, but to sell it as dearly as he could ; wherefore, 
wresting a pole-axe from one of the murderers, he sooij 
laid four of their number dead at his feet. But he was at 
length overpowered, and struck dead by the blow of a pole¬ 
axe ; although some assert that he was starved in prison, 
Id Thus died the unfortunate Richard, in the thirty-fourth 


























































































RICHARD II. 


1J5 


year of his age, and the twenty-third of his reign. Though 
his conduct was blameahle, yet the punishment he suffeied 
was greater than his offences ; and in the end his sufferings 
made more converts to his family and cause than ever his 
most meritorious actions could have procured them. In 
left no posterity, either legitimate or otherwise. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 Ry whom was the king opposed ? 

3. h5v whom was Hereford joined on his arrival in England? 

1 In what manner did the king conduct himself? 

6 Can you mention the indignities the king afterwards suffered ? 

7. How did Richard receive the earl of Hereford t and what passed at the 

interview between them ? 

8, 9. To what other mortifications was the king obliged to submit? 

10 What circumstances preceded his resignation of the crown? 

11 Bi whom was he succeeded ? 

12. What dreadful contest now commenced ? 

13. After Richard was deposed, in what manner was he treated ? 

14. Relate the circumstances which attended the murder of Richard. 

15. Describe his character. 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. A.n. 

Gregory XI. 1370 

Urban VI. 1378 

Boniface IX. 1389 

Emperors of the East. 

John VI. 1355 

Emanuel II. 1391 

E.mperors of the West. 

Charles IV. 1347 

Winceslaus. 1378 


Kings of France. 


A.D. 

Charles V. 1304 

Charles VI. 1380 

Kings of Portugal. 

Ferdinand. 1367 

John 1. 1385 

King and Queen of 
Denmark. 

Olaus III. 1375 


EMINENT PERSONS. 


AD, 

Margaret. 13843 

Queen, of Sweden. 
Margaret held 
Sweden w~th 
Denmark. 1397 

Kinss of Scotland. 

Robert II. 1370 

Robert III. 1390 


William Courtney, Thomas Arundel, archbishops of Canterbury. William 
Wahv'rih, lord mayor of London. Roger Mortimer; earl of March, grand 
son to Clarence, heir apparent. Ilenry of Bolingbroke. Vere, duko of 
Ireland. William of VVykeham, bishop of Winchester, founder of W.nchos 
ter College, and of Merton College, Oxford. 






















116 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XVI 
HENHY IV. 

Born 1397. Died March 20, 1413. Be<ran to reign October 1, 1399 Reigned 

13 years. 

Heaven knows hy what bye-paths and Ciooked ways 

1 met this crown; and ! myself know well 

How troublesome it sat upon my brow.— Shalcspeare. 

]. (A.I). 1399.) Henry soon found that the throne of an 
usurper is but a bed of thorns. Such violent animosities 
broke out among the barons in the first session of this par¬ 
liament, that forty challenges were given and received, and 
forty gauntlets were thrown down as pledges of the sincerity 
of their resentment. But though these commotions were 
seemingly suppressed by his moderation for that time, yet 
one conspiracy broke out after another, and were detected 
in the formation, or actually punished in the field. 

2. That formed against him hy the earl of Northumber¬ 
land was the most formidable. It was in a skirmish between 
the Scots and English that Archibald, earl of Douglas, with 
many of the Scots nobility, were taken prisoners by the earl 
of Northumberland, and carried to Alnwick castle. When 
Henry received intelligence of this victory, he sent the earl 
orders not to ransom his prisoners, as he intended to detain 
them, in order to increase his demands in making peace with 
Scotland. 3. This message was highly resented by the 
earl of Northumberland, who, by the laws of war that pre¬ 
vailed in that age, had a right to the ransom of all such as 
he had taken in battle. The command was still more irk¬ 
some, as he considered the king his debtor, both for his se¬ 
curity and his crown. Accordingly, stung with this supposed 
injury, he resolved to overturn a throne which he had the 
chief band in establishing. 

4. A scneme was laid, in which the Scots and Welsh 
were to unite their forces, and to assist Northumberland in 
elevating Mortimer, as the true heir to the crown of Eng¬ 
land. When all things were prepared for the intended in 
surrection, the earl had the mortification to find himself 
unable to lead on the troops, being seized with a sudden 
illness at Berwick. But the want of his presence was well 
supplied by his son, Henry Percy, surnamed Hotspur, who 
took the command of the troops, and marched them towards 
Shrewsbury, in order to join his forces with those of Glen 


HENRY IV. 


117 


dower, a Welsh chieftain, who some time berore had been 
exchanged from prison, and had now advanced will his 
forces as far as Shropshire. 5. Upon the junction of these 
two armies, they published a manifesto, which aggravated 
their real grievances, and invented more. In the mean time, 
Hcniy, who had received no intelligence of their designs, 
was at first greatly surprised at the news of this rebellion 
But fortune seemed to befriend him on this occasion : he had 
a small army in readiness, which he had levied for an in¬ 
tended war against the Scots, and knowing the importance 
of despatch against such active enemies, he instantly hurried 
down to Shrewsbury, that he might give the rebels battle. 

6. Upon the approach of the two armies, both sides seem¬ 
ed willing to give a colour to their cause by showing a de¬ 
sire of reconciliation ; but, when they came to open their 
mutual demands, die treaty was turned into abuse and re¬ 
crimination. On one side was objected rebellion and ingra¬ 
titude ; on the other, tyranny and usurpation. 7. The two 
armies were pretty nearly equal, each consisting of about 
twelve thousand men ; the animosity on both sides v/as in¬ 
flamed to the highest pitch ; and no prudence nor military 
skill could determine on which side the victory might in¬ 
cline ; accordingly, a very bloo ly engagement ensued, in 
which the generals on both sides exerted themselves with 
great bravery. Henry was seen everywhere in the thickest 
of the fight; while his valiant son, who was afterwards the 
renowned conqueror of France, fought by his side ; and, 
though wounded in the face by an arrow, still kept the field, 
and performed astonishing acts of valour. 8. On the other 
side, the daring Hotspur supported that renown which he 
had acquired in so many bloody engagements, and every¬ 
where sought out the king as a noble object of indignation. 
At last, however, his death from an unknown hand decided 
the victory ; and the fortune of Henry once more prevailed. 
On that bloody day, it is said, that no less than two thousand 
three hundred gentlemen were slain, and about six thousand 
private men, of whom two-thirds were of Hotspur’s army. 

9 While this furious transaction was going forward, Nor¬ 
thumberland, who was lately recovered from his indisposi¬ 
tion, was advancing with a body of troops to reinforce the 
army of malccontents, and take upon him the command, 
but hearing by the way of his son’s and brother’s misfortune 
he dismissed his troops, not daring to keep the field with so 
small a force, before an army superior in number, and flush 


118 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


ed with recent victory. 10. The earl, therefore, for a 
while, attempted to find safety by flight , but at last, being 
pressed by his pursuers, and finding himself totally without 
resource, lie chose rather to throw himself upon the king’s 
mercy than lead a precarious and indigent life in exile. 
Upon his appearing before Henry at York, he pretended 
that his sole intention in arming was to mediate between 
llie two parties ; and this, though but a very weak apology, 
seemed to satisfy the king. Northumberland, therefore, re¬ 
ceived a pardon ; Henry probably thinking that he was suf 
ficiently punished by the loss of his army and the death of 
his favourite son. 

11. By these means Henry seemed to surmount all his 
troubles • and the calm which was thus produced was em¬ 
ployed by him in endeavours to acquire popularity, which 
he had lost by the severities exercised during the preceding 
part of his reign. For that reason, he often permitted the 
house of commons to assume powers which had not been 
usually exercised by their predecessors. A.D. 1407. 12. 

In the sixth year of his reign, when they voted him the 
supplies, they appointed treasurers of their own, to see the 
money disbursed for the purposes intended ; and required 
them to deliver in their accounts to the house. They pro¬ 
posed thirty very important articles for the government ol 
the king’s household ; and, on the whole, preserved their 
privileges and freedom more entire during his reign than 
in that of any of his predecessors. 13. But while the king 
thus laboured, not without success, to retrieve the reputation 
he had lost, his son Henry, the prince of Wales, seemed 
equally bent on incurring the public aversion. He became 
notorious for a!! kinds of debauchery, and ever chose to be 
surrounded by a set of wretches, who took pride in commit¬ 
ting the most illegal acts, with the prince at their head. 
14. The king was not a little mortified at this degeneracy 
in his eldest son, who seemed entirely forgetful of his sta¬ 
tion, although he had already exhibited repeated proofs ot 
his valorous conduct and generosity. Such were the ex¬ 
cesses into which he ran, that one of his dissolute compa¬ 
nions having been brought to trial before Sir William (las 
eoigne, chief justice of the king’s bench, for some misde 
meanour, the prince was so exasperated at the issue of the 
trial, ttiat he struck the judge in open court. 15 The ve¬ 
nerable magistrate, who knew the reverence that was due 
to his station, behaved with a dignity that became his office 


HENRY IV. 


IIP 


and immediately ordered the prince to be committed to pii* 
son. When this transaction was reported to the king - , who 
was an excellent judge of mankind, he could not help ex¬ 
claiming in a transport—“ Happy is the king that has a 
magistrate endowed with courage to execute the laws upon 
such an offender : still more happy in having a son willing 
to submit to such a chastisement!” This, in fact, is one of 
the first great instances we read in the English history of a 
magistrate doing justice in opposition to power; since, upon 
many former occasions, we find the judges only ministers of 
roval caprice. 

10. Henry, whose health had for some time been declin¬ 
ing, did not long outlive this transaction. He was subject 
to tits, which bereaved him for the time of his senses ; and 
which at last brought on his death at Westminster, in the 
forty-sixth year of his age, and the fourteenth of his reign. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. In what situation did Henry find himself on ascending tho throne ? 

2. Who was the most formidable opponent of Henry? 

4. For what purpose were the Scots and Welsh to unite their forces? 

7. Relate the valorous conduct of the king and prince. 

8. What was the fate of Hotspur? 

JO. What became of the earl of Northumberland ? 

12. What at this time were the powers assumed by the hous*> of commons. 

13. What was the conduct of the prince of Wales? 

15. For what offence did the chief justice imprison him ? 

What did the prince exclaim when he heard the of prince’s committal 1 

16. What caused the death of the king ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

AD. 

Boniface IX. 1389 

Innocent VII. 1404 

Gregory XII. 1406 

Alexander V. 1409 

John XXIII....... 1410 

Emperor of the East. 
Emanuel II. 1391 


Emperors of the West. 

a.d. 

Winceslaus. 1378 

Robert Le Pet. 1400 

Sigismund.1410 

King of France. 
Charles VI. 1380 

King of Portugal. 
John 1. 1385 


EMINENT PERSONS. 


King and Queen of 
Denmark and SmJen. 

A.D 

Margaret. 1385 

Eric XIII. 1411 

King of Scotland. 
Robert III. 1390 


Thomas Arundel, archbishop of Canterbury. Edward Mortimer Henry 
Percy surnamed Hotspur. Chief Justice Gascoigne. Sir Robert Knowles 
Sir Richard Whittington, lord mayor A London. John Gower and Geoff rey 
Chaucer 




















130 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XVII 


HENRY V 



Boiu 1388. Died Aug. 31, 1422. Began to reign March 20 141.' 

Reigned 9£ years. 

Now terror seemed to make the field its own.— Kgerton. 

1. (A. D. 14 J 3.) The first steps taken by tbe young king 
confirmed all those prepossessions entertained in his favour 
He called together his former abandoned companions : ac¬ 
quainted them with his intended reformation ; exhorted 
them to follow his example ; and thus dismissed them 
from his presence, allowing them a competency to subsist 
upon till he saw them worthy of further promotion. 2. 
The faithful ministers of his father at first began to tremble 
for their former justice in the administration of their duty ; 
but he soon eased them of their fears by taking them into 
his friendship and confidence. Sir William Gascoigne, who 
thought himself the most obnoxious, met with praise instead 
of reproaches, and was exhorted to persevere in the same 
rigorous and impartial execution of justice. 

3. About this time the heresy of Wickliffe,* or Lol- 
lardism, as it was called, began to spread every day more 
and more, while it received a new lustre from the protec¬ 
tion and preaching of sir John Oldcastle, baron of Cobhain, 
who had been one of the king’s domestics, and stood high 
in his favour. The primate, however, indicted this noble¬ 
man, and, with the assistance of his suffragans, condemned 
him as a heretic to be burnt alive. 4. Cobham, however 
escaping from the Tower, in which he was confined, the day 
before his execution, privately went up to London to take s 
signal revenge on his enemies. Hut the king, apprized of 
his intentions, ordered that the city gates should be shut; 
and coming by night with his guards into St. Giles’s-fields, 
seized such of the conspirators as appeared, and afterwards 
laid hold of several parties that were hastening to the ap- 

* John Wickliff6, a celebrated English divine, was the father of the rev 
formation of the English church from popery. He first opposed theauthorUy 
of the pope, and being cited to appear beibre the bishop of London, it caused 
great tumult. His tenets were solemnly condemned in an assembly held at 
Oxford ; he, however, escaped the malice of his enemies, and died peaceably 
at Lutterworth in 13M4. 


HKMIY V. 


121 


pointed place. 5. Some of these were executed, but the 
greater number pardoned. Cobham himself found means of 
escaping for that time, but he was taken about four years 
after ; and never did the cruelty of man invent, or crimes 
draw down, such torment as he was made to endure. He 
was hung up with a chain by the middle, and thus, at a slow 
fire, burned, or rather roasted, alive. 

6. Henry, to turn the minds of the people from such 
hideous scenes, resolved to take advantage of the troubles 
in which France was at that time engaged; and assembling 
a great fleet and army at Southampton, landed at Harfleur, 
at the head of an army of six thousand men-at-arms, and 
twenty-four thousand foot, mostly archers. But although 
the enemy made but a feeble resistance, yet the climate 
seemed to fight against the English, a contagious dysentery 
carrying off three parts of Henry’s army. 7. The English 
monarch, when it was too late, began to repent of his rash 
inroad into a country where disease and a powerful army 
everywhere threatened destruction ; he, therefore, began to 
think of retiring into Calais. 

The enemy, however, resolved to intercept his retreat; 
and after he had passed the small river of Tertois, at 
Blangi, he was surprised to observe, from the heights, the 
whole French army drawn up in the plains of Agincourt,* 
and so posted, that it was impossible for him to proceed 
on his march without coming to an engagement. 8. No 
situation could be more unfavourable than that in which he 
found himself. His army was wasted with disease : the 
soldiers’ spirits worn down with fatigue, destitute of pro¬ 
visions, and discouraged by their retreat. Their whole 
body amounted to but nine thousand men, and these were 
to sustain the shock of an enemy nearly ten times their 
number, headed by expert generals, and plentifully sup¬ 
plied with provisions. 9. As the enemy were so much 
superior, he drew up his army on a narrow ground between 
two woods, which guarded each flank ; and he patiently 
expected, in that position, the attack of the enemy. The 
constable of France was at the head of one army, and 
Henry himself, with Edward, duke of York, commanded 
the other. 10. For a time both armies, as if afraid to 
begin, kept silently gazing at each other, neither willing to 


♦ -Agincourt is a village in the province r Artois, formerly part of the 
French Netherlands. 


I. 


122 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 




break their ranks by making the onset; which Henry per¬ 
ceiving, with a cheerful countenance cried out, 4 ‘ My 
friends, since they will not begin, it is ours to set the 
example; come on, and the blessed Trinity be our pro* 
lection!” Upon this the whole army set forward with a 
shout, while the French still waited their approach with / 
intrepidity. 11. The English archers, who had long been 
famous for their great skill, first let fly a shower ol arrows 
three feet long, which did great execution. The French 
cavalry advancing to repel these, two hundred bowmen, 
who lay till then concealed, rising on a sudden, let fly among 
them, and produced such a confusion, that the archers threw 
by their arrows, and rushing in, fell upon them sword in 
hand. The French at first repulsed the assailants, who were 
enfeebled by disease ; but they soon made up the defect by 
their valour; and, resolving to conquer or die, burst in upon 
the enemy with such impetuosity, that the French were 
soon obliged to give way. 

12. They were overthrown in every part of the field 
their numbers, being crowded into a very narrow space, 
were incapable of either Hying or making any resistance 
so that they covered the ground with heaps of slain. After 
all appearance of opposition was over, there was heard an 
alarm from behind, which proceeded from a number of 
peasants who had fallen on the English baggage, and were 
putting those who guarded it to the sword. 13. Henry 
now seeing the enemy on all sides of him, began to enter¬ 
tain apprehensions from his prisoners, the number of whom 
exceeded even that of his army. He thought it necessary, 
therefore, to issue general orders for putting them to death ; 
but on a discovery of a certainty of his victory, he stopped 
tne slaughter, and was still able to save a great number. 
14. T 'his severity tarnished the glory which his victory 
would otherwise have acquired, but all the heroism of that 
age is tinctured with barbarity. In this battle the French 
lost ten thousand men and fourteen thousand prisoners : the 
English only forty men in all.* 

15. France was at that time (A. D. 1417) in a wretched 
ituation; the whole kingdom appeared as one vast theatre 


The duke of York and earl of Suffolk were among the few who fell in 
this tattle on the side of the Kuglish. Also three valiant Welshmen 
fiamed Davy (mm, Roger Vaughan, and Walker Lloyd, who had rescued 
the king, arid were afterwards knighted bv him as they lay bleeding to death 
— Mjiistrelet 


HKNRY V. 


123 


of crimes, murders, injustice, and devastation. The duke 
ol Orleans was assassinated oy the duke of Burgundy ; and 
the duke of Burgundy, in his turn, fell by the treachery ol 
the dauphin. 

16. A state of imbecility, into which Charles had fallen, 
made him passive in every transaction ; and Henry, at last 
by conquests and negotiation, caused himself to be elected 
heir to the crown. The principal articles of this treaty 
were, that Henry should espouse the princess Catharine, 
daughter of the king of France; that king Charles should 
enjoy the title and dignity for life, but that Henry should 
be declared heir to the crown, and should be intrusted 
with the present administration of the government; that 
France and Kngland should for ever be united under one 
king, hut should still retain their respective laws and 
privileges. 

17. In consequence of this, while Henry was everywhere 
victorious, he fixed his residence at Paris; and while Charles 
had but a small court, he was attended with a very magnifi¬ 
cent one. (A. I). 1421.) On Whit-Sunday, the two kings 
and their two queens, witli crowns on their heads, dined to¬ 
gether in public ; Charles receiving apparent homage, but 
Henry commanding with absolute authority.* 

18. Henry, at that time, when his glory had nearly 
reached its summit, and both crowns were just devolved upon 
him, was seized with a fistula, a disorder which, from the 
unskilfulness of the physicians of the times, soon became 
mortal. He expired with the same intrepidity with which 
he had lived, in the thirty-fourth year of his age, and the 
tenth of his reign. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 What were the first steps taken by the young king? 

3 What remarkable circumstance did the heresy of'Wickliffe produce 1 
ft. What was the melancholy late of sir John Oldcastle, baron of Cobham? 


* The revenues of the government, and the grants of parliament, were so 
inadequate to Henry’s expensive armies and expeditions, that he was forced 
to |iawn his crown to his uncle. Cardinal Beautbrt, for a large sum ; anti cer¬ 
tain jewels to the lord mayor of lymdon, (or ten thousand marks; he was 
also obliged to pledge two gold chased basons, weighing together 281h. 8oz 
to two canons of St. Paul’s, lor six hundred marks; and two golden shells te 
the dean of Lincoln, for one hundred more. The cost of his army was great 
eafli knight received 20s. per diem ; a squire 1 Os. and each archer 5s. Be 
tides which, he had a costly hand of music, among which were ten clarions 
\v hich playeu an hour, night and morning, before his tent.— Ber'.rand d 
MoleriUc rc. 




124 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


t* What caused Henry to assemble an army in France I 
VVliat was the amount of his army ? 

7. Where did the enemy attempt to intercept his retreat f 

8. In what condition was the English army? 

9. Who commanded the respective armies? 

10 Relate the part iculars of the battle of Agincourt. 

14 What tarnished the glory of this victory ? 

What was the situation of France? 

15. What were the principal articles of treaty between England and 
F ranee ? 

What was the age of Henry at his death ? and how long did he reign 1 


Pope8. 

A. D. 

John XXIII. 1410 

Martin V. 1417 


Emperor oj the East. 
Emanuel II. 1394 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 

Emperor of the lVes£. King of Denmark and 
a. D. Sweden. 

Sigismund. 1410 A. n 

Eric XIII. 1411 

King of France. 

Charles VI. 1380 


King of Portugal. 
John 1. 1385 


King of Scotland. 
Robert III. 1390 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Henry Chicheley, archbishop of Canterbury. Cardinal Beaufort, bishop of 
Winchester, younger son of John of Gaunt, and preceptor to Henry the Fifth 
and Sixth. Talbot, eail of Shrewsbury. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

HENRY VI. 

Bom 1421. Deposed March 5, 1401. Died April 21, 1471. Began to reign August 

31, 1422. Reigned 3S£ years. 

SECTION 1. 

From fields obscure darts forth a village maid. — Dibdin. 

1. (A. D. 1422.) The duke of Bedford, one of the most 
accomplished princes of the age, and equally experienced 
both in the cabinet and the field, was appointed by parlia 
men.t protector of England, defender of the church, and 
first counsellor to the king during his minority, as he was 
not yet a year old ; and as France was the great object 
that engrossed all consideration, he attempted to exert the 
efforts of the nation upon the continent with all his vigour. 

2. A new revolution was produced in that kingdom, by 

















HENRY VI. 


25 



rneaikR apparently the most unlikely to be attended with 
success. In the village of Domreni, near Vaueoleurs, on 
v<ie borders ot Lorrain, there lived a country gii,, about 
twenty-seven years of age, called Joan of Arc. This girl 
had been a servant at a small inn, and in that humble sta¬ 
tion had submitted to those hardy employments which fit the 
body for the fatigues of war. She was of an irreproachable 
life, and had hitherto testified none of those enterprising 
qualities which displayed themselves soon after. 3. Her 
mind, however, brooding with melancholy steadfastness upon 
the miserable situation of her country, began to feel several 
imptdses, which she was willing to mistake for the inspira¬ 
tions of Heaven Convinced of the reality of her own ad¬ 
monitions, she had recourse to one Baudricourt, governor 
of Vaueoleurs, and informed him of her destination by Hea¬ 
ven to free her native country from its tierce invaders. 
Baudricourt treated her at first with some neglect: but her 
importunitie® at length prevailed ; and willing to make trial 
of her pretensions, he gave her some attendants, who con 
ducted her to the French court, which at that time resided at 
Chinon. 

4. The French court were probably sensible of the weak" 
ness of her pretensions ; but they were willing to make use 
of every artifice to support their declining fortunes. It was, 
therefore, given out that Joan was actually inspired ; that 
she was able to discover the king among the number of his 
courtiers, although he had laid aside all the distinctions of 
his authority ; that she had told him some secrets which 
were only known to himself; and that she had demanded 
and minutely described a sword in the church of St. Cathe¬ 
rine de Firebois, which she had never seen. 5. In this manner 
the minds of the vulgar beinjr prepared for her appearance, 
she was armed cap-a-pie, and shown in that martial dress to 
the people. She was then brought before the doctors of the 
university, and they, tinctured with the credulity of the times, 
or w illing to second the imposture, declared that she had 
actually received her commission from above. 

5. When the preparations for her mission were completel 
b’azoned, their next aim was to send her against the enemy 
The English were at that time besieging the city of Orleans, 
the last resource of Charles, and every thing promised them 
a speedy surrender. Joan undertook to raise the siege ; and 
to render herself still more remarkable, girded herself with 
the miraculous sword, of which she had before such extra 

l 2 



126 


HISTORY Of ENGLAND. 


ordinary notices. Thus equipped, she ordered all the sol 
diers to confess themselves before they set out; she dis¬ 
played in her hand a consecrated banner, and assured the 
Iroops of certain success. 7. Such confidence on her side 
soon raised the spirits of the French army ; and even the 
English, who pretended to despise her efforts, felt them¬ 
selves secretly influenced with the terrors of her mission; 
and relaxing in their endeavours, the siege was raised with 
great precipitation. From being attacked, the French now 
in turn became the aggressors. One victory followed an 
other, and at length the French king was solemnly crowned 
at Rheims, which Joan had promised should come to pass. 

8. A tide of success followed the performance of this so¬ 
lemnity ; but Joan having thrown herself into the city of 
Compeign, with a body of troops, that was then besieged 
by the duke of Burgundy, she was taken prisoner in a sally 
which she headed against the enemy, the governor shutting 
the gates behind. The duke of Bedford was no sooner 
informed of her being taken, than he purchased her of the 
count Vendome, who had made her prisoner, and ordered 
tier to be committed to close confinement. 9. The credulity 
of both nations was at that time so great, that nothing was 
too absurd to gain belief that coincided with their passions. 
As Joan, but a little before, from her successes, was re¬ 
garded as a saint, she was now, upon her captivity, consi¬ 
dered as a sorceress, forsaken by the demon who had granted 
her a fallacious and temporary assistance ; and accordingly 
being tried at Rouen, she was found guilty of heresy and 
witchcraft, and sentenced to be burnt alive, which was exe¬ 
cuted with the most ignorant malignity. 

10. From this period the English affairs became totally 
irretrievable. The city of Paris returned once more to a 
sense of its duty. Thus ground was continually, though 
slowly, gained by the French ; and in the lapse of a few 
years, Calais alone remained of all the conquests that had 
been made in France ; and this was but a small compensa¬ 
tion for the blood and treasure which had been lavished in 
that country, and which only served to gratify ambition with 
transient applause * A.D. 1443. 


* The duke of Bedford died about this tune ; and when the daupnin of 
France was advised to demolish the monument of black marble which had 
been erected to his memory, he generously replied, “Let him rejiose in 
peace, and be thankful that he does repose; were he to awake, he would 
make the stoutest of us tremble ” 






HENRY VI. 


127 


11 Hut the incapacity of Henry began to appear in a 
fuller light; and a foreign war being now extinguished, the 
people began to prepare for the horrors of intestine strife 
In this period of calamity a new interest was revived, which 
had lain dormant in the times of prosperity and triumph. 
Richard, duke of York, was descended, by the mother’s 
side, from Lionel, one of the sons of Edward the Third; 
whereas the reigning king was descended from John of 
(Jaunt, a younger son of the same monarch : Richard, there* 
hire, stood plainly in succession before Henry ; and he began 
lo think the weakness and unpopularity of the present reign 
a favourable moment for ambition. The ensign of Richard 
was a white rose, that of Henry a red : and this gave name 
to the two factions, whose animosity was now about to 
drench the kingdom with slaughter. 

o o 

12. Among the number of complaints which the unpopu¬ 
larity of the government gave rise to, there were some which 
even excited insurrection ; particularly that headed by John 
Cade, which was of the most dangerous nature. This man 
was a native of Ireland, who had been obliged to fly over to 
France for his crimes ; but seeing the people, upon his re¬ 
turn, prepared for violent measures, he assumed the name 
of Mortimer; and at the head of twenty thousand Kentish 
men, advanced towards the capital, and encamped at Black- 
heath. The king, being informed of this commotion, sent 
a message to demand the cause of their assembling in arms , 
and Cade, in the name of the community, answered that 
their only aim was to punish evil ministers, and to procure 
a redress of grievances for the people. 13. But committing 
some abuses, and engaging with the citizens, he was aban¬ 
doned by most of his followers ; and retreating to Rochester, 
was obliged to fly alone into the woods of Kent, where, a 
price being set upon his head by proclamation, lie was dis¬ 
covered and slain.* 

14. In the mean time the duke of York secretly fomented 
these disturbances, and pretending to espouse the cause of 
the people, still secretly aspired to the crown ; and, though 
he wished nothing so ardently, yet he was for some time 
prevented by his own scruples from seizing it. What his in* 

* I’he inscription on Cade’s standard consisted of the following doggerel, 
sufficiently indicative of the levelling doctrines of him and his rebel compa¬ 
nions 

' When Adam delv’d and Eve span, 

Who was then a gentleman ?” 


HISTORY 01- ENGLAND. 


123 

tribes failed to bring about, accident produced according to 
iiis desires. 15. The king falling into a distemper, winch 
so far increased his natural imbecility that it even rendeicd 
him incapable of maintaining the appearance of royaltv. 
York was appointed lieutenant and protector of the king¬ 
dom, with powers to hold and open parliaments at pleasure 


Questions for Examination . 

I. What happened on the death of the king? 
i 3. Relate the history of Joan of Arc. 

4. By what artifices did the French court support their declining fortunes ? 
ft What enterprise did Joan undertake ? 

7 Were the French successful ? 

3. In what manner was Joan of Arc made prisoner? 

9 What was the fate of this extraordinary woman ? 

10 In what state were the English affairs at this time ? 

II. What new interest was now revived against Henry ? and to whatconse 

quences did it lead ? 

12. Mention the particulars of an insurrection which took place, and the 

cause which occasioned it. 

13. What was the fate of the principal conspirators? 

14. Who secretly fomented these disturbances ? 

15 Who was appointed protector of the kingdom? and on what occasion? 


SECTION II. 

While second Richard’s blond for vengeance culls, 

Doom d for bis gruudsire’s gudl, poor Henry falls.— Savage. 

I. (A.D. 1452.) Being thus invested with a plenitude of 
power, he continued in the enjoyment of it for some time ; 
hut at length the unhappy king recovered from his lethargic 
complaint; and, as if waking from a dream, perceived with 
surprise that he was stripped ot all his authority. Henry was 
married to Margaret of Anjou,* a woman of a masculine 
understanding, who obliged him to take the field, and in a 
manner dragged him to it, where both sides came to an en¬ 
gagement, in which the Yorkists gained a complete victory.-f 
2. 'I'he king himself being wounded, and taking shelter in 
a cottage near the field of battle, was taken prisoner, and 
treated by the victor with great respect and tenderness. 

Henry was now merely a prisoner, treated with the splen¬ 
did forms of royalty ; yet, indolent and sickly, he seemed 

* Daughter of Ren6, titular king of Sicily ; an ambitious, enterprising, anis 
courageous woman. She supported the righis of her husband with great 
fortitude and activity, till the fatal defeat at Tewkesbury, which put an end 
to all her enterprises, 
t This battle was the first of St. Alban’s. 




HENRY VI. 


129 


pleased with his situation, and did not regret that power 
which was not to be exercised without fatigue. But Mar* 
garet once more induced him to assert his prerogative. 3 
The contending parties met at Bloreheath, on the borders of 
Staffordshire, Sept. 23, 1459, and the Yorkists gained some 
advantages ; but Sir Andrew Trollop deserted with all his 
men to the king; and this so intimidated the whole army of 
the Yorkists, that they separated the next day, without strik¬ 
ing a single blow. Several other engagements followed 
with various success ; Margaret being at one time victorious, 
at another in exile ; the victory upon Wakefield-green,* in 
which the duke of York was slain, seemed to fix her good 
fortune. 

4. But the earl of Warwick, who now put himself at the 
head of the Yorkists, was one of the most celebrated gene¬ 
rals of the age, formed for times of trouble, extremely artful, 
and incontestably brave, equally skilful in council and the 
field ; and inspired with a degree of hatred against the queen 
that nothing could suppress. lie commanded an army, in 
which he led about the captive king, to give a sanction to 
his attempts. 5. Upon the approach of the Lancastrians, 
he conducted his forces, strengthened by a body of London¬ 
ers, who were very affectionate to his cause, and gave battle 
to the queen at St. Alban’s. In this, however, he was de¬ 
feated. About two thousand of the Yorkists perished in 
the battle, and the person of the king again fell into the 
hands of his own party, to be treated with apparent respect, 
but real contempt. 

6. In the mean time young Edward, the eldest son of the 
late duke of York, began to repair the losses his party had 
lately sustained, and to give spirit to the Yorkists. This 
prince, in the bloom of youth, remarkable for the beauty of 
ins person, his bravery, and popular deportment, advanced 
towards London with the remainder of Warwick’s army; 
and, obliging Margaret to retire, entered the city amidst the 
acclamations of the people. Perceiving his own popularity, 
ne supposed that now was the time to lay his claim to the 
crown; and his friend Warwick, assembling the citizens ia 
St. John’s Fields, pronounced an harangue, setting forth the 
title of Edward, and inveighing against the tyranny and 
usurpation of the house of Lancaster. A D. 1461. 7. Both 

sides at length met near Towton, in the county of York, to 


* In the West Hiding of Yorkshire. 


(30 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


decide the fate of the empire, and never was England do 
populated by so terrible an engagement. It was a dreadful 
sight to behold a hundred thousand men of the same country 
engaged against each other ; and all to satisfy the ambition 
of the weakest or the worst of mankind. VVhile the army 
of Edward was advancing to the charge, there happened a 
great fall of snow, which, driving full in the face of the 
enemy, blinded them ; and this advantage, seconded bv an 
impetuous onset, decided the victory in his favour. Edward 
issued orders to give no quarter; and a bloody slaughter 
ensued, in which near forty thousand of the Lancastrians 
were slain. 

8. The weak and unfortunate Henry, always imprudent, 
and always unsuccessful, was taken prisoner, carried to 
London with great ignominy, and conducted to the Toy er. 
Margaret was rather more fortunate : she contrived to escape 
out of the kingdom, and took refuge with her father in Flan* 
ders.* 

9. Edward being now, by means of the earl of Warwick 
fixed upon the throne, reigned in peace and security, while 
his title was recognised by parliament, and universally sub¬ 
mitted to by the people. A.D. 1464. He began, therefore, 
to give a loose to his favourite passions, and a spirit of gal¬ 
lantry, mixed with cruelty, was seen to prevail in his court. 
The very same palace which one day exhibited a spectacle 
of horror, was to be seen the day following with a mask or 
pageant; and the king would at once gallant a mistress and 
inspect an execution. 10. In order to turn him from these 
pursuits, which were calculated to render him unpopular 
the earl of Warwick advised him to marry; and with his 
consent went over to France, to procure Bona of Savoy, as 
queen, and the match was accordingly concluded. Buf 
whilst the earl was hastening the negotiation in France, the 

* Margaret, flying with her son into a forest, was attacked during the night 
by rubbers, who despoiled her of her rings and jewels, and treated her with 
the utmost indignity. The partition of this great booty having raised a vio 
lent (piarrel among them, si e took an opportunity of flying with her son into 
the ihiekest part of the forest, where she wandered till she was overcome 
with hunger and fatigue. While in this wretched condition, she saw a rob¬ 
ber approaching with his naked sword; she suddenly embraced the resolution 
of trusting entirely to his faith and generosity, and presenting to him the 
young prince, “ Here, my friend,” said she, “ 1 commit to your care me saieiy 
of the king’s son.” The man, struck with the singularity of the e\ent, and 
recalled to virtue bv the flittering confidence reposed in him, vowed, not only 
to abstain from all injury against the princess, but to devote himself entirely 
to her service. By his means she reached the sea-coast, and embarked lor 
^'landers.- -I)e Moleville , 4'£ 



HENRY VI. 


131 


king himself rendered it abortive at home, by marrying 
Elizabeth Grey,* with whom he had fallen in love, and 
whom he had vainly endeavoured to debauch. 11. Having 
thus given Warwick real cause o( offenee, he was resolved 
to widen the breach by driving him from the council. Wai 
wick, whose prudence was equal to his bravery, soon made 
use of both to assist his revenge ; and formed such a com 
bination against Edward, that he was in his turn obliged to 
fly the kingdom. Thus, once more, the poor, passive king 
Henry was released from prison to be placed upon a danger¬ 
ous throne. A parliament was called, which continued 
Henry’s title with great solemnity ; and Warwick was him¬ 
self received among the people under the title of king¬ 
maker. 

12. But Edward’s party, though repressed, was not de¬ 
stroyed. Though an exile in Holland, he had many partisan? 
at home; and, after an absence of nine months, being 
seconded by a small body of troops, granted to him by the 
duke of Burgundy, he made a descent at Ravenspur, in 
Yorkshire. Though, at fir.st, he was coolly received by the 
English, yet his army increased upon his march, while his 
moderation and feigned humility still added to the number 
of his partisans. London, at that time ever ready to admit 
the most powerful, opened her gates to him ; and the 
wretched Henry was once more plucked from a throne to be 
sent back to his former mansion. 

13. Nothing now, therefore, remained to Warwick, but 
to cut short an anxious suspense, by hazarding a battle. 
Edward’s fortune prevailed. They met at St. Alban’s, and 
the Lancastrians were defeated; while Warwick himself, 
leading a chosen body of troops into the thickest of the 
slaughter, fell, in the midst of his enemies, covered with 
wounds. 

Margaret, receiving the fatal news of the death ol the brave 
Warwick, and the total destruction of her party, gave way 
to her grief, for the first time, in a torrent of tears ; ami, 
yielding to her unhappy fate, took sanctuary in the abbey 
nf Beaulieu, in Hampshire. 

14. She had not been long in this melancholy abode be 

* Khzabeth Grey was daughter of s:r Richard Woodville. The king first 
saw her at court, whither she had repaired to present a petiti on for the reco¬ 
very ol the confiscated lands of her late husband, sir John Grey, who was 
slain in arms ori the side of Henry. She told Kdward, when he first addressed 
her on the subject of his love, that though too humble to he his wife, she was 
too high to become his concubine 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


1 ** 

fore C'ie found some few friends still waiting to assist her 
fallen fortunes She had now fought battles in almost everv 
province in England ; Tewkesbury-park was the last scene 
that terminated her attempts. 15. The duke of Somerset 
headed her army: a man who had shared her dangers, and 
had ever been steady in her cause. When Edward first at¬ 
tacked him in his intrenchments, he repulsed him with such 
vigour, that the enemy retired with precipitation; upon 
which the duke, supposing them routed, pursued, and order¬ 
ed lord Wenlock to support his charge. But unfortunately, 
this lord disobeyed his orders ; and Somerset’s forces were 
soon overpowered by numbers. 16. In this dreadful exi¬ 
gence, the duke finding that all was over, became ungovern¬ 
able in his rage; and beholding Wenlock inactive, and 
remaining in the very place where he had first drawn up 
his men, giving way to his fury, with his heavy battle-axe 
in both hands he ran upon the coward, and with one blow 
dashed out his brains. 

17. The queen and the prince were taker prisoners after 
the battle, and brought into the presence of Edward. 'The 
young prince appeared before the conqueror with undaunted 
majesty ; and being asked, in an insulting manner, how he 
dared to invade England without leave, .more mindful of his 
high birth than of his ruined fortunes, he boldly repiied, “ I 
have entered the dominions of my father, to revenge his in¬ 
juries, and to redress my own.” 18. The barbarous Ed¬ 
ward, enraged at his intrepidity, struck him on his mouth 
with his gauntlet; and this served as a signal for further 
brutality : the dukes of Gloucester, Clarence, and others, 
like wild beasts, rushing on the unarmed youth at once, 
stabbed him io the heart with their daggers. To complete 
the tragedy, Henry himself was soon after murdered in cold 
blood. Of all those that were taken, none were suffered to 
survive but Margaret herself. 19. It was perhaps expected 
that she would be ransomed by the king of France ; and in 
this they were not deceived, as that monarch paid the kins 
of England fifty thousand crowns for her freedom. This 
extraordinary woman, after having sustained the cause of her 
husband in twelve battles, after having survived her friends, 
fortunes, and children, died a few years after in privacy m 
France, very miserable indeed ; but with few other claims 
to our pity, except her courage and her distresses.* 

* During this and several previous reigns, a most absurd fashion was fol 
lowed bv the peonle It was customary to wear the beaks or points ol thou 


HENRY VI. 


133 


Questions for Exami tatton. 

1. What was the issue of the first battle between the houses of York and 
Lancaster ? 

2 What was the fortune of Henry? 

3 Where did the contending parties next meet ? 

What circumstances gave the advantage to Henry’s party 1 

4. Who was the commander of the Yorkists? 

5. Wh at was his success ? 

6 Who now laid claim to the crown ? 

7 What were the particulars of the action at Towton ? 

8 What happened to Margaret and the young prince after the bntrle ? 

9. How did Edward conduct himself after his accession ? 

11 For what reason did Warwick combine against Edward ? 

By what title was Warwick received among the people ? 

13. What was ihe fortune of the next battle ? 

14. What followed this engagement ? 

17. What was the answer of the young prince to Edward ? 

18. What was his treatment ? 

What was the Lite of Henry ? 

19. Wha ol Margaret ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. A.D. 

Martin V. 1417 

Eugenius VI. 143! 

Nicholas V. 1447 

Calixtus HI. 1455 

Pius II. 1458 

Emjnrors of the East. 

Emanuel II. 1391 

John VII. 1429 

Constantine III. 
and last Christian 
emperor. Suc¬ 
ceeded by his 
conqueror Ma¬ 
homet II. who 


A.D. 

took Constantino¬ 
ple by storm,May 


29. 1453 

Emperors of the West. 

Sigismund. 1410 

Albert II. 1438 

Frederick III. 1440 


A D 

Edward. i433 

Alphonsus. 1438 


Kings of Denmark and 


Sweden. 

Eric IX. 1411 

Christopher III.... 1439 
Christian 1. 1448 


Kings of France- 

Charles VII. 1452 

Louis XI. 1461 

Kings cf Portugal. 
John I ..^ 1385 


Kings of Scotland. 

Robert III. 1390 

James 1. 1424 

James II. 1437 

James III. 1460 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

John Stratford and John Kemp, archbishops of Canterbury. De La Polb 
Juke of Suffolk. The Dukes of Bedford, Gloucester, Exeter, and bishop of 
Winchester, regents and guardians to the king. Richard, duke of York. 


shoes so long, that it was necessary to tie them up to their knees with lares 
or chains* to enable them to walk without stumbling: gentlemen used for 
this purpose chains made of silver, or silver gilt, and others used laces. 'Phis 
r»dicvlous custom was now (A.D. 1467) prohibited,on the forfeiture of twen 
ty shillings, and the pain of cursing by the clergy. Whatever absurdities in 
dress may have been rendered fashionable in modern times, certainly none 
have t-xcetded this folly of our ancestors. 


M 































m 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

EDWARD IV. 

Born (441. Died April 9th, 1482. Bejran to reign March 5th. 1461. Reigned 

22 years. 

Edward, to each voluptuous vice a slave. 

L'rud. intemp’rate, vain, suspicious, brave.— Eger ton. 

•. (A.D. 1478.) Edward, being now free from great 
enemies, turned to the punishment of those of lesser note; 
so that the gibbets were hung with his adversaries, and theii 
estates confiscated to his use. 

Whilst lie was rendering himself terrible on the one hand, 
he was immersed in abandoned pleasures on the other 
Nature, it seems, was not unfavourable to him in personal 
charms ; as he was universally allowed to be the most beau¬ 
tiful man of his time. 2. His courtiers also seemed willing 
to encourage those debaucheries in which they had a share ; 
and the clergy, as they themselves practised every kind of 
lewdness with impunity, were ever ready to lend absolution 
to all his failings. The truth is, enormous vices had been 
of late too common. 

Among his other cruelties, that to his brother, the duke 
of Clarence, is the most remarkable. The king, hunting 
one day in the park of Thomas Burdet, a creature of the 
duke’s, kil|ed a .white buck, which was a great favourite of 
the owner. Burdet, vexed at the loss, broke into a passion, 
and wished the horns of the deer in the belly of the person 
who had advised the king to that insult. For this trilling 
exclamation, Burdet was tried for his life, and publicly ex* 
ecute<l at Tyburn. 4. The duke of Clarence, upon the 
death of his friend, vented his grief in renewed reproaches 
against his brother, and exclaimed against the iniquity of the 
sentence. The king, highly offended with this liberty, or 
using that as a pretext against him, had him arraigned be¬ 
fore the house of peers, and appeared in person as his ac¬ 
cuser. 5. In those times of confusion, every crime alleged 
by the prevailing party was fatal; the duke was found 


EDWARD V. 


135 


v iltv; and, being granted a choice of the manner in which 
would die, was privately drowned in a butt of malmsey 
in the Tower: a whimsical choice, and implying that he had 
an extraordinary passion for that liquor. 

6. However, if this monarch’s reign was tyrannical, it 
was but short; while he was employed in making prepaia- 
tions for a war with France, he was seized with a distemper, 
of which lie expired in the forty-second year of his age. and 
counting from the deposition of the late king, in the twenty- 
third of his rei^n. 

O 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What was now the conduct of Ed ward ? 

2. For what was Burdet tried and executed ? 

4. Relate the cruelty of Ed ward towards his brother. 

5. Wh it kind of death did the duke of Clarence prefer ? 

6. liow long did Edward the Fourth reign? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. a.d. 

Pius II. 1458 

Paul II. 1404 

Sextus IV. 1471 

Emperor of Germany. 
Frederic II. 1440 

Emperors of the Turks. 
Mahomet. II. 1453 


At). 

Bajazet II. 1481 

Kmg of France. 
Louis IX. 1461 


Kings of Portugal. 

Alphonsus V. 1438 

John II. 1481 


Kings of Denmark and 
Sweden. 


A.D. 

Christian 1. 1440 

John 1. 1481 

King of Scotland. 
James III. 1469 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Thomas Borlienr, archbishop of Canterbury ; Nevil, earl of Warwick, coll 
ed the king-maker; Beaufort, duke of Somerset; Richard, duke of Glouces¬ 
ter; Tiptoft, eort of Worcester; William Caxton, mercer of London, tne first 
printer (practised his art in Westminster Abbey, 1471). Jane Shore. 


CHAPTER XX. 

EDWARD V. 

Born 1470. Died June, 1483. Began to reign April 9, 1483. Reigned 3 months. 

What’s this 

That ri«es like the issue of a king, 

And bears upon his baby brow the round 
And tup of sov’reignty 1 Skukspearc. 

1 (A.D. 1483.) The duke of Gloucester, who bad been 

made protector of' the realm, upon a pretence of guarding 
the persons of the late king’s children from danger, conveyed 

them both to the Iowe r 





















136 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


Having thus secured them, his next step was to spread a 
report of their illegitimacy; and by pretended obstacles, to 
put off the day appointed for young Edward’s coronation 
11 is next aim was to despatch Lord Hastings, whom he 
know to be warmly in the young king’s interest. 

2. Having summoned Lord Hastings to a council in the 
Tower, he entered the room knitting his brows, biting his 
'ps, and showing, by a frequent change of countenance, the 
igns of some inward perturbation. A silence ensued for 
Home time : and the lords of the council looked upon each 
other, not without reason expecting some horrid catas¬ 
trophe. 3. Laying bare his arm, all shrivelled and decayed, 
he accused Jane Shore and her accomplices of having pro¬ 
duced this deformity by their sorceries ; upon which Hast¬ 
ings cried, “ If they have committed such a crime, they 
deserve punishment.”—“ If!” cried the protector, with a loud 
voice ; “ dost thou answer me with ifs ? 1 tell thee they 

have conspired my death ; and that thou, traitor, art an ac¬ 
complice in the crime.” 4. He struck the table twice with 
his hand, and the room was instantly filled with armed men. 

‘ 1 arrest thee,” continued he, turning to Hastings, “ for 
high-treason and at the same time gave him in charge to 
the soldiers. Hastings was obliged to make a short con¬ 
fession to the next priest that was at hand ; the protector 
crying out, by St. Paul, that he would not dine till he had 
seen his head taken off. He was accordingly hurried out to 
the little green before the Tower chapel, and there beheaded 
on a log of wood that accidentally lay in the way. 

5. Jane Shore, the late king’s favourite was the next that 
felt his indignation. This unfortunate woman was an ene¬ 
my too humble to excite his jealousy : yet, as he had ac¬ 
cused her of witchcraft, of which all the world saw she 
was innocent, he thought proper to make her an example 
f or those faults of which she was really guilty. 6. She 
had been formerly deluded from her husband, who was a 
goldsmith in Lombard-street, and continued to live with Ed¬ 
ward, the most guiltless favourite in his abandoned court. 
It was very probable that the people were not displeased at 
seeing one again reduced to her former meanness who had 
for a while been raised above them, and enjoyed the smiles 
of a court 7. The charge against her was too notorious 
to be denied ; she pleaded guilty, and was accordingly con¬ 
demned ;o walk barefooted through the city, and to do pe¬ 
nance in St. Paul’s church in a white sheet, with a wax 


EDWARD V. 


137 


taper in het nand, before thousands of spectators. She lived 
atiove forty years after this sentence, and was reduced to 
the most extreme indigence 

8. The protector now began to throw off the mask, and 
to deny his pretended regard for the sons of the late king, 
thinking it high time to aspire to the crown more openly, 
lie had previously gained over the duke of Buckingham, 
a man of talents and power, by bribes and promises ol 
future favour. This nobleman, therefore, used all his arts 
to cajole the populace and citizens at St. Paul’s cross ; and, 
construing their silence into consent, his followers cried 
i Long live king Richard !” Soon after, the mayor and 
aldermen waiting upon Richard with an offer of the crown, 
he accepted it with seeming reluctance 


t _ 

Questions for Examination. 

1. YVlml was the conduct of the duke of Gloucester towards the young 

princes ? 

2. 3 By what vile arts did he get rid of lord Hastings ? 

5. Who next felt his indignation ? 

6. Who was Jane Shore ? 

7. What punishment did she suffer? 

8. In what manner did Richard contrive to procure an offer of the crown ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Pope. A.D. 

Sextus IV. 1471 

Emperor of Germany. 
Frederic III. 1440 

Emperor of the Turks. 
Bajazetll.. 1481 


King of France. 

A.D. 

Charles VIII. 1483 

King of Portugal. 
John II.. 1481 


King of Denmark and 
Sweden. 


John. 

King of 
James III.., 


A.D 

. 1481 

Scotland. 

. HOC 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Richard, duke of Gloucester, protector. Edward, earl of Warwick; 
Margaret, countess of Salisbury (children of George, duke of Clarenco 
Earl Grey; marquis of Dorset; William Lord Hastings. William 
Caxton, mercer, of London, the first English printer; he established a 
printing press in Westnniister*abbey, A. 0. 1471. 

M ° 

Jl ** 













138 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XXL 

RICHAPD III. 

Born J450 Died Aur. 23, 1485. Bejran to reign June 27. 1483. Reigned 

2 years. 

Tetchy and wayward was his infancy ; 

His school-days frigliiftil desperate, wild, and furious; 

Hie prime of manhood darintr. hold and venturous; 

His age confirm’d, proud, subtle, sly, and bloody.— Shakspcart. 

1 

1.* (A. D. 1483.) One crime ever draws on another 
justice will revolt against fraud, and usurpation requires 
security. As soon, therefore, as Richard was seated upon the 
throne, he sent the governor of the Tower orders to put the 
two young princes to death ; but this brave man, whose 
name was Brackenbury, refused to be made the instrument 
of a tyrant’s will ; but submissively answered, that he knew 
not how to imbrue his hands in innocent blood. A tit in¬ 
strument, however, was not long wanting; sir James Tyrrel 
readily undertook the office, and Brackenbury was ordered 
to resign to him the keys for one night. 2. Tyrrel, choosing 
three associates, Slater, Heighten, and Forest, came in the 
night-time to the door of the chamber where the princes 
were lodged, and, sending in the assassins, he bid them ex¬ 
ecute their commission, while he himself staved without. 
They found the young princes in bed, and fallen into a 
sound sleep: after suffocating them with a bolster and pil¬ 
lows, they showed their naked bodies to Tyrrel, who 
ordered them to be buried at the stairs’ foot, deep in the 
ground, under a heap of stones. 

3. But wfiile the usurper thus endeavoured to establish 
his power, he found it threatened in a quarter where lie least 
expected an attack. The duke of Buckingham, who had 
been instrumental in placing him on the throne, now took 
disgust, being refused some confiscated lands for which he 
solicited. He therefore levied a body of men in Wales 
and advanced with hasty marches towards Gloucester, where 
he designed to cross the Severn. 4. Just at that time the 
river was swoln to such a degree, that the country on both 
sides was deluged, and even the tops of some hills were 
covered with water. The inundation continued lor ten 
days; during which Buckingham’s army, composed of 


* See the note at the end of the reign of Henry VII. 


RICHARD III, 


139 


Welshmen, could neither pass the river nor find subsistence 
on their own side ; they were therefore obliged to disperse, 
and return home, notwithstanding all the duke’s efforts to 
prolong their stay. 5. In this helpless situation, the duke, 
after a short deliberation, took refuge at the house of one 
Bannister, who had been his servant, and who had received 
repeated obligations from his family; but the wicked seldom 
rind, as they seldom exert, friendship. Bannister, unable to 
resist the temptation of a large reward that was set upon 
the duke’s head, went and betrayed him to the sheriff’ of 
Shropshire : who, surrounding the house with armed men, 
seized the duke, in the habit of a peasant, and conducted 
him to Salisbury ; where he was instantly tried, condemned, 
and executed, according to the summary method practised 
in those days. 

G. Amidst the perplexity caused by many disagreeable 
occurrences, the king received information that the earl of 
Richmond was making preparations to land in England, and 
assert his claims to the crown. Richard, who knew not in 
what quarter he might expect the invader, had taken post at 
Nottingham, i.i the centre of the kingdom; and had given 
commission to several of his creatures to oppose the enemy 
wherever he should land. 

7. Some time after, however, the earl of Richmond, who 
was a descendant from John of Gaunt, by the female iine, 
resolved to strike for the crown. lie had been obliged to 
quit the kingdom ; but he now, knowing how odious the 
king was, set out from Harfleur, in Normandy, with a 
retinue of about two thousand persons, and after a voyage 
of six days, arrived at Milford-haven, in Wales, where he 
jL.idod without opposition.. 

8. Upon news of this descent, Richard, who was pos¬ 
sessed uf courage and military conduct, his only virtues, 
instantly resolved to meet his antagonist and decide their 
mutual pretensions by a battle. Richmond, on the other 
ham’, being reinforced by sir Thomas Bouchier, sir Walter 
Hungerford, and others, to the number of about six thou¬ 
sand, boldly advanced with the same intention; and in a 
few days both armies drew near Bosworth-field,* where the 
contest that had now for more than forty years filled the 
Kingdom with civil commotions, and deluged its plains with 
blood, was determined by the death of Richard, who was 

* In Leicestershire. The battle fought at this place was the last of thir¬ 
teen between the houses of York and Lancaster. 


140 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


slain in battle: while Richmond was saluted king by the 
title of Henry the Seventh.* 


Questions for Examination. 

1 What was the first act of Richard ? 

2 In what manner were his orders executed ? 

8 From whai quarter and on what occasion was Richard first threatened 
4 What obliged Buckingham's army to disperse ? 
f) Whai was the fate of the duke of Buckingham? 

6 With what new opposer did Richard now contend? 

7 Where did Richmond land ? 

By whom was he joined ? 

Where did the armies meet? 

What was the result of the battle ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. AD. 

Sextus IV. 1471 

Innocent VIII. 1484 


Emperor of Germany. 
Frederic II. 1440 

Emperor of the Turks. 
Bajazet II. 1481 


King of France. 

ad. 

Charles VIII. 1483 

King of Portugal. 
John II. 1481 


King of Denmark and 
Sweden. 

A-D 

John. 1480 

King of Scotland. 
James III. 1460 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Henry Tudor, earl of Richmond. Stafford, duke of Buckingham. Vere 
earl of Oxford. Thomas, lord Stanley. Howard, duke of Norfolk. Francis 
viscount Lovel. Sir Richard Ratcliffe. Sir William Catesby. 


* R'ohard’s body, after being exposed, was buried in the church of the 
Grey Friars, at Leicester. Henry VII. bestowed a monument or it, which 
was demolished at the dissolution of abbeys under Henry VIII.; and the 
monarch's stone coffin actually served for a horse-trough, at the White Horse 
Inn; “ Sic transit gloria mi^.Ji!” 















EIENRY VII 


14] 


CHAPTER XXII. 

HENRY VII 

Bora 1450. Died April 22. 1509. Began to reign Aug. 23,1485. Reigned 23 \ year 

SECTION I. 

But oh ! how altered was the mournful tone. 

When Harry Richmond, aimed with title true 
His haldriek ’cross his shoulder flung, 

And with enliv'ning trumpet blew 
A call to arms that through the island rung! 

Hi* claim announcing to the English throne. — Dibdin. 

1. (A. D. 1485.) Henry’s first care, upon coming to tlie 
th rone, was to marry the princess Elizabeth, daughter of 
Edward the Fourth ; and thus he blended the interest of the 
houses of York and Lancaster, so that ever after they were 
incapable of distinction. 

2. A great part of the miseries of his predecessors pro¬ 
ceeded from their poverty, which was mostly occasioned by 
riot and dissipation. Henry saw that money alone could 
turn the scale of power in his favour; and, therefore, 
hoarded up all the confiscations of his enemies with the 
utmost frugality. 

Immediately after his marriage with Elizabeth, he issued 
a genera! pardon to all such as chose to accept it; but people 
were become so turbulent and factious, by a long course of 
civil war, that no governor could rule them, nor any king 
please; so that one rebellion seemed extinguished only to 
give rise to another. 

3. There lived in Oxford one Richard Simon, a priest, 
who possessing some subtlety, and more rashness, trained 
up Lambert Simnel, a baker’s son, to counterfeit the person 
of the earl of Warwick, the son of the duke of Clarence, 
who was smothered in a butt of malmsey. But, as the im¬ 
postor was not calculated to bear a close inspection, it was 
thought proper to show him first at a distance ; and Ireland 
was judged the fittest theatre for him to support his assumed 
character. 

4. In this manner Simnel, being joined by lord Lovel, 
and one or two lords more of the discontented party, re¬ 
solved to pass over into England ; and accordingly landed 
in Lancashire, from whence he marched to York, expecting 
the country would rise and join him as he marched along 
But in this he was deceived; the people, averse to join a 
body of German and Irish troops, by whom he was sup- 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


142 

ported, and kept in awe by the king’s reputation, remained 
in tranquillity, or gave all their assistance to the royal cause. 
5. The opposite armies met at Stoke, in the county of 
Nottingham, and fought a battle, which was more bloody 
and more obstinately disputed, than could have been ex 
pected from the inequality of their forces. 6. But a vic¬ 
tory at length declared in favour of the king, and it proved 
decisive. Lord Lincoln perished in the field of battle 
lord Lovel was never more heard of, and it is supposed he 
shared the same fate. Simnel, with his tutor Simon, were 
taken prisoners; and four thousand of the common men 
fell in the battle. Simon, being a priest, couid not be tried 
by the civil power, and was only committed to close con* 
finement. 7. Simnel was too contemptible to excite the 
king’s fear or resentment ; he was pardoned, and made 
a scullion in the king’s kitchen, whence he was afterwards 
advanced to the rank of falconer, in which mean employ¬ 
ment he died. 

8. A fresh insurrection began in Yorkshire. The people 
resisting the commissioners who were appointed to levy 
the taxes, the earl of Northumberland attempted to enforce 
the king’s command ; but the populace, being by this taught 
to believe that he was the adviser of their oppressions, flew 
to arms, attacked his house, and put him to death. The 
mutineers did not stop there; but, by the advice of one 
John Archamber, a seditious fellow of mean appearance, 
they chose sir John Egremont for their leader, and prepared 
themselves for a vigorous resistance. 9. The king, upon 
hearing of this rash proceeding, immediately levied a force, 
which he put under the earl of Surry: and this nobleman, 
encountering tbe rebels, dissipated the tumult, and took 
their leader, Archamber, prisoner. Archamber was shortly 
after executed, but sir John Egremont fled to the court of 
the dutchess of Burgundy, the usual retreat of all who were 
obnoxious to government in England. 

10. One would have imagined, that from tbe ill success 
of Simnel’s imposture, few would be willing to embark in 
another of a similar kind ; however, the old dutchess of 
Burgundy, rather irritated than discouraged by the failur 
of her past enterprises, was determined to disturb that go¬ 
vernment which she could not subvert, A. D. 1492. She 
first procured a report to be spread that the young duke of 
Y orK., said to have been murdered in the Tower, was still 
living ; and finding the rumour greedily received, she soon 


HENRY VII. 


143 


produced a young man who assumed his name and cha¬ 
racter. 11. The person chosen to sustain this part was one 
Osbeck, or Warbeck, the son of a converted Jew, who had 
been over in England during the reign of Edward IV 
where he had this son named Peter, hut corrupted, after 
the Flemish manner, into Peterkin, or Perkin. 12. The 
dutohess of Burgundy found this youth entirely suited to 
her purposes ; and her lessons, instructing him to personate 
the duke of York, were easily learned and strongly retained 
by a youth of very quick apprehension. In short his 
graceful air, his courtly address, his easy manner, and 
elegant conversation, were capable of imposing upon all 
but such as were conscious of the imposture. 

The English, ever ready to revolt, gave credit to all these 
absurdities ; while the young man’s prudence, conversation, 
and deportment served to confirm what their disaffection 
and credulity had begun. 

13. Among those who secretly abetted the cause of 
Perkin were lord Fitzwalter, sir Simond Mountford, sir 
Thomas Tlnvaits, and sir Robert Clifford. But the person 
of the greatest weight, and the most dangerous opposition, 
was sir William Stanley, the lord chamberlain, and brother 
to the famous lord Stanley, who had contributed to place 
Henry on the throne. This personage, either moved by a 
olind credulity, or more probably by a restless ambition, 
entered into a regular conspiracy against the king; and a 
correspondence was settled between the malecontents in 
England and those in Flanders. 

14. While the plot was thus carrying on in all quarters, 
Henry was not inattentive to the designs of his enemies. 
He spared neither labour nor expense to detect the false¬ 
hood of the pretender to his crown ; and was equally assi¬ 
duous in finding out who were his secret abettors. For 
this purpose he dispersed his spies through all Flanders, 
and brought over, by large bribes, some of those whom he 
knew to be in the enemy’s interest. 15. Among these, sir 
Robert Clifford was the most remarkable, both for his con¬ 
sequence, and the confidence with which he was trusted. 
From this person Henry learnt the whole of Perkin’s birth 
and adventures, together with the names of all those who 
Pad secretly combined to assist him. The king was pleased 
with the .discovery ; but the more trust he gave to his spies 
the higher resentment did he feign against them. 

10 At first he was struck with indignation at the ingra- 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


U4 

titude of many o\ those about him ; but, concealing his 
resentment for a proper opportunity, he almost at the same 
instant arrested Fitzvvalter, Mountlord, and Thwaits, to* 
gether with William Danbury, Robert Ratcliff, Thomas 
Cressenor, and Thomas Astwood. All these were arraigned 
convicted, and condemned for high-treason. Mountlord 
Ratcliff, and Danbury were immediately executed; the rest 
eceived a pardon. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 YVhut was Henry’s first care ? 

2. What prudent measures did he take to secure his power? 

3. YVho counterfeited the person of the earl of Warwick ? 

4 By whom was Simnel joined ? 

5, fi. What were the consequences of this rebellion? 

7. What became of Simnel ? 

8. What caused a fresh insurrection? and what was the conduct of the 

mutineers ? 

1-0. What other imposture was now undertaken? 

11. Who was chosen to personate the duke of York? 

12. Who instructed Perkin to personate him? 

13. Who were his abettors ? 

14. 15. What was Henry’s conduct on this occasion? 

16. What was the fate of those who opposed the king? 


SECTION II. 

James backed the cause of that weak prince 
Warbeck, that Flemish counterfeit. 

Who on the gibbet paid the cheat — Scott. 

1. (A. D. 1494.) The young adventurer, thus finding ltis 
hopes frustrated in England, went next to try his fortune 
in Scotland. In that country bis luck seemed greater than 
in England, James IV., the king of that country, receiving 
him with great cordiality. He was seduced to believe the 
story of his birth and adventures ; and he carried his con¬ 
fidence so far, as to give him in marriage lady Catharine 
Gordon, daughter of the earl of Huntley, and a near kins¬ 
woman of his own ; a young lady eminent foi virtue as 
well as beauty. 2. But not content with these instances 
of favour, he was resolved to attempt setting him on the 
.hrone of England. It was naturally expected that, upon 
Perkin’s first appearance in that kingdom, all the friends of 
the house of York would rise in his favour. Upon this 
ground, therefore, the king of Scotland entered England 
with a numerous army, and proclaimed the young adven¬ 
turer wherever he wept. But Perkin’s pretensions, attended 




HENRY VII. 


145 


by repeated disappointments, were now become stale, even 
in the eyes of the populace ; so that, contrary to expects 
tion, none were Found to second his views. 

3. In tliis manner the restless Perkin, being dismissed 
Scotland, and meeting with a very cold reception from the 
Flemings, who now desired to be at peace with the English, 
resolved to continue his scheme of opposition, and took re¬ 
fuge among the wilds and fastnesses of Ireland. A. 1). 1497 
Impatient of an inactive life, he held a consultation w'tfi 
his followers, Herne, Skelton, and Astley, three broken 
tradesmen ; and by their advice he resolved to try the aflec- 
tions of the Cornish men ; and he no sooner made his ap¬ 
pearance among them at Bodmid, in Cornwall, than the 
populace, to the number of three thousand, flocked to his 
standard. 4. Elated with this appearance of success, he 
took on him, for the first time, the title of Richard the 
Fourth, king of England ; and, not to suffer the spirits of 
his adherents to languish, he led them to the gates of 
Exeter. Finding the inhabitants obstinate in refusing to 
admit him, and being unprovided with artillery to force an 
entiance, he broke up the siege of Exeter, and retired to 
Taunton. 5. His followers, by this time, amounted to 
seven thousand men, and appeared ready to defend his 
cause ; but his heart failed him upon being informed that 
the king was coming down to oppose him; and, instead 
of bringing his men into the field, he privately deserted 
them, and took sanctuary in the monastery of Beaulieu, in 
the New Forest. His wretched adherents, left to the king’s 
mercy, found him still willing to pardon ; and except a few 
of the ringleaders, none were treated with capital severity. 
6. At the same time some other persons were employed to 
treat with Perkin, and to persuade him, under promise of 
a pardon, to deliver himself up to justice, and to confess 
and explain all the circumstances of his imposture. His 
affairs being altogether desperate, he embraced the king’s 
offer without hesitation, and quitted the sanctuary. Henry 
being desirous of seeing him, he was brought to court, and 
conducted through the streets of London in a kind of mock 
triumph, amidst the derision and insults of the populace, 
which he bore with the most dignified resignation. 7. He 
was then compelled to sign a confession of his former lift 
and conduct, which was printed and dispersed throughout 
the nation; but it was so defective and contradictory, that 
instead of explaining the pretended imposture, it left it still 

N 


146 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


more doubtful than before; and this youth’s real pretensions 
are to this very dav an object of dispute among the learned. 
After attempting once or twice to escape from custody, lie 
was hanged at Tyburn : and several of his adherents suf¬ 
fered the same ignominious death. 

8. There had-been hitherto nothing in this reign but 
olots, treasons, insurrections, impostures, and executions j 
end it is probable that Henry’s severity proceeded from 
the continual alarm in which they held him. It is certain 
that no prince ever loved peace more than he ; and much 
of the ill will of his subjects arose from his attempts to 
repress their inclinations for war. The usual preface to all 
his treaties was, “ That, when Christ came into the world, 
peace was sung; and when he went out of the world, peace 
was bequeathed.” 

9. lie had all along two points in view ; one to depress 
the nobility and clergy, and the other to exalt and humanize 
the populace. With this view he procured an act, by which 
the nobility were granted a power of disposing of their 
estates ; a law infinitely pleasing to the commons, and not 
disagreeable even to the nobles, since they had thus an im¬ 
mediate resource for supplying their taste for prodigality, 
and answering the demands of their creditors. The blow 
reached them in their posterity alone ; but they were too 
ignorant to be affected by such distant distresses. 

J 0. He was not remiss also in abridging the pope’s 
power, while at the same time he professed the utmost sub¬ 
mission to his commands, and the greatest respect for the 
clergy. But while he thus employed his power in lowering 
the influence of the nobles and clergy, he was using every 
art to extend the privileges of the people. In fact, his 
gn atest efforts were directed to promote trade and commerce, 
Decause they naturally introduced a spirit of liberty, and 
disengaged them from all dependence, except upon the laws 
and the king. 11. Before this great era, all our towns 
owed their origin to some strong castle in the neighbour¬ 
hood, where some powerful lord generally resided. Those 
were at once fortresses for protection, and prisons for all 
sorts of criminals. In this castle there u'as usually a gar¬ 
rison armed and provided, depending entirely on the noble¬ 
man’s support and assistance. 12. 'To these seats of pro¬ 
tection, artificers, victuallers, and shopkeepers naturally 
resorted, and settled on some adjacent spot, to furnish the 
.orb and his attendants with all the necessaries they might 


HENRY VII. 


147 

require. The farmers also, and the husbandmen, in dia 
rHgl.boi rhood, built their houses there, to be protected 
< gainst tne numerous gangs of robbers, called Robertsuien, 
that hid themselves in the woods by day, and infested the 
open country by night. 13. Henry endeavoured to bring 
the towns Irom such a neighbourhood, by inviting the in¬ 
habitants to a more commercial situation. He attempted to 
teach them frugality, and a just payment of debts, by his 
own example ; and never once omitted the rights of the 
merchant, in all his treaties with foreign princes. 

14. Henry having seen England, in a great measure, 
civilized by his endeavours, his people pay their taxes with¬ 
out constraint, the nobles confessing subordination, the laws 
alone indicting punishment, the towns beginning to live in¬ 
dependent of the powerful, commerce every day increasing, 
the spirit of faction extinguished, and foreigners either 
fearing England or seeking its alliance, he began to see the 
approaches of his end, and died of the gout in his stomach, 
(A. D. 15044), having lived fifty-two years, and reigned 
twenty-three. 

The reign of Henry VII. produced so many beneficial 
changes in the condition of England, and the manners of its 
people, that many historians have attributed to the monarch 
a larger share of wisdom and virtue than is justly his due 
He was a faithless friend, a bitter enemy, a cruel husband 
to an amiable consort, an undutiful son to his venerable 
mother, a careless father, and an ungenerous master. He 
maintained peace because his avarice disinclined him to the 
expenses of war ; he increased the power of the people 
through jealousy of the nobles, and he checked the papal 
encroachments, because they interfered with his taxes. In¬ 
ordinate love of money and unrelenting hatred of the house 
of York* were his ruling passions, and the chief sources 
of all his vices and all his troubles. 

% The pretensions of Perkin Warheck, the last who claimed the crow'll 
Ln right of the house of York, will naturally occur to the reader's mind, and 
some ar.xirty will he felt to learn whether he was really an pnfortunato 
prince or a crafty imjiostor The latter opinion seems to have prevailed 
prnrioalfi on the authority of Shakspeare and lord Bacon, certainly the two 
greatest urines in our literature, but as certainly witnesses wholly unworthy 
of c r^d-t in the present instance. They wrote to please queen Klizabeth, 
who was naturally anxious to raise the* character of her grandfather Henry 
VII. and depreciate that of his rival Kichard III 

The first point to !>e ascertained is the fact of the murder of the two 
young princes, anti this, which would at once have decided the pretensions 
of Warbeck, was so far from being proved, that the inquisition taken and 
^■jb r$hed by Henry’s command is so full of contradictions and palpable 


148 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. Where next did the young adventurer try his fortune? and what was 
his success? 

3. After his disappointment in Scotland, what was Perkin's future scheme 

of opposition ? 

4. What title did Perkin assume? 

5. What was his conduct afterwards? 

6. In what manner did Henry treat him? 

7. Of what nature was his confession ? and what his fate ? 

8. From what cause proceeded Henry’s severity ? 

What was his usuai preface to his treaties ? 

9. What were the two {Klims which Henry had always in view ? and what 

plan did he pursue to attain them? 

10. How did he abridge the power of the pope ? 

11, 12. Before this era, w hat was the state of the towns in England ? 

13, 14. By what means did Henry civilize his country ? 

When did the king die? and what was his character? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. A.n. 

Innocent VIII. 1484 

Alexander VI. 1492 

Pius III. 1503 

Julius III. 1503 

Emperors of Germany. 

Frederick II. 1440 

Maximilian 1. 1493 

Emperor of the Turks. 
Bajazet II. 1481 


Kings of France. 

A.n. 

Charles VIII. 1483 

Louis XII. 1498 

King and Queen of Spain. 
Ferdinand* the 

Catholic, and 

Isabella. 1475 

Kings of Portugal. 
John. 7 1481 


A.D 

Emanuel. 1495 

King of Denmark and 
Sweden. 

John. 1481 

Kings of Scotland. 

James III. 1460 

James IV. 1489 


absurdities, that Henry himself never made use of it in any of his later 
declarations. Besides, the persons who were said to have confessed the 
murder were never brought to trial for the crime. 

The next evidence brought forward on the side of Henry is the confession 
extorted from Warbeck after he was made prisoner. Like the firmer, it 
bears internal evidence of its own falsehood, though the unfortunate young 
man is said to have repeated it at the time of his death. 

On the other side, we have the evidence of the dutehess of Burgundy, 
who could have nad no possible motive for joining in such a foul conspiracy 
against the husband of her own niece ; and to sav nothing of a host of friends 
of the house of York, we have the negative evidence of the dowager-queer- 
whom Henry kept in close confinement from the moment of Warbeck’s ap 
pearanee. To have brought him into her presence would at once have et 
the question at rest, for surely the mother would have known whethei it 
•■ as her son or not that stood before her. But Henry took especial care to 
prevent such an interview, and the inference is, that he had just reason to 
dread that its consequences would be a confirmation of Warbeck’s preten¬ 
sions.— T. 

* Till this period, Spain had been divided into three different governments,, 
viz. Leon, Castile and Arragon, under distinct sovereigns; but by the nanr- 
riage of Ferdinand and Isabella, heiress of Castile and Ariagon, the whole 
v.as united in one kingdom. 





















HENRY VIII. 


149 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

John Morton. Henry Chu-heley, Thomas Langton, archbisnoj* rf Canter 
•>ury. Margaret, countess of Ku hutoiuJ, mother of the king. Cimlma. 
Morton, lord chancellor. Fox. bishop of Winchester. Sebastian C abot a 
groat navigator. Empson and Dudley, extortionate ministers of the king. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

HENRY VIII. 

Born 1491. Died January 2R, 1547 Began to reign April 22, 1509. 

Reigned 37f years. 

SECTION I. 

Now Henry reigns, to learning mneh inelin’d. 

But of strong passions, and a savage mind. — F.gerton. 

1. (A.D. f £09.) No prince ever name to the throne with 
a conjunctive .of circumstances more in his favour than 
Henry the Eighth, who now, in the eighteenth year of his 
age, undeitook the government of the kingdom. As he 
was at the head of a formidable army, fifty thousand strong, 
and as a w ar with France was the most pleasing to the peo¬ 
ple, he determined to head his forces for the conquest of that 
kingdom. 2. But France was not threatened by him alone: 
the Swiss, in another quarter, with twenty-five thousand 
men, were preparing to invade it ; while Ferdinand of 
Arragon, whom no treaties could bind, was only waitfiig for 
a convenient opportunity of attack on his side t.» advantage. 
Never w'as the French monarchy in so distressed a situation ; 
tiut the errors of its assailants procured its safety. 3. After 
an ostentatious hut ineffectual campaign, a truce was con¬ 
cluded between the two kingdoms; and Henry continued 
to dissipate, in more peaceful follies, those immense sums 
which had been amassed by his predecessor for very ililfer- 
ent purposes. 

4. In this manner, while his pleasures on the one hand 
engrossed Henry’s time, the preparations for repeated ex 
petitions exhausted his treasures on the other. As it wac 
namrnl to suppose the old ministers, who were appointed 
to direct him by his father, would not willingly concur in 
these idle projects, Henry had, for some time, disi outinned 
as King their advice, and chiefly confided in the counsel* o( 

n 2 





150 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

Thomas, afterwards cardinal Wolsey, who seemea to second 
him in his favourite pursuits. 5. Wolsey was a minister 
who complied with all his master’s inclinations, and flattered 
him in every scheme to which his sanguine and impetuous 
temper was inclined. He was the son of a private gentle- 
man, at Ipswich. Me was sent to Oxford so early, that he 
was a bachelor at fourteen, and at that time was called the 
boy bachelor. He rose by degrees, upon quitting college, 
from one preferment to another, till he was made rector of 
Lymington by the marquis of Dorset, whose children he 
had instructed. 6. He was soon recommended as chaplain 
to Henry the Seventh ; and being employed by that mo¬ 
narch in a secret negotiation respecting his intended mar¬ 
riage with Margaret of Savoy, he acquitted himself to the 
king’s satisfaction, and obtained the praise both of diligence 
and dexterity. 7. That prince having given him a commis¬ 
sion to Maximilian, who at that time resided at Brussels, 
was surprised in less than three days to see Wolsey present 
himself before him ; and, supposing he had been delinquent, 
began to reprove his delay. Wolsey, however, surprised 
him with an assurance that he had just returned from Brus¬ 
sels, and had successfully fulfilled all his majesty’s com¬ 
mands. 8. His despatch on that occasion procured him the 
deanery of Lincoln ; and in this situation it was that he 
was introduced by Fox, bishop of Winchester, to the young 
king’s notice, in hopes that he would have talents to sup¬ 
plant the earl of Surry, who was the favourite at that time ; 
and in this Fox was not out in his conjectures. Presently 
after being introduced at court, he was made a privy coun¬ 
sellor ; and as such had frequent opportunities of ingratia¬ 
ting himself with the young king, as he appeared at once 
complying, submissive, and enterprising. 9. Wolsey used 
every art to suit himself to the royal temper; he sung, 
laughed, and danced with every libertine of the court; 
neither his own years, which were nearly forty, nor his 
character as a clergyman, were any restraint upon him, or 
tended to check, by ill-timed severities, the gayety of his 
companions. To such a weak and vicious monarch as 
Henry, qualities of this nature were highly^ pleasing; and 
Wolsey was soon acknowledged as the chief favourite, and 
to him was intrusted the chief administration of affairs 
10. The people began to see with indignation the new fa¬ 
vourite’s mean condescensions to the king, and his arro¬ 
gance to themselves. They had long regarded the vicious 


HENRY VIII. 


15 ] 


haughtiness and the unbecoming splendour of the clergy 
with envy and detestation ; and Wolsey’s greatness served 
to bring a new odium upon that body, already too much the 
object of the people’s dislike. His character, being now 
placed in a more conspicuous point of light, daily began to 
manifest itself the more. 11. Insatiable in his acquisitions, 
but still more magnificent in his expense ; of extensive ca¬ 
pacity, but still more unbounded in enterprise ; ambitious 
of power, but still more desirous of glory ; insinuating, en¬ 
gaging, persuasive, and at other times lofty, elevated, and 
commanding; haughty to his equals, but affable to nis de¬ 
pendants ; oppressive to the people, but liberai to his 
friends ; more generous than grateful; formed to take the 
ascendant in every intercourse, but vain enough not to cover 
his real superiority. 

12. In order to divert the envy of the public from his 
inordinate exaltation, he soon entered into a correspondence 
with Francis the First, of France, who had taken many 
methods to work upon his vanity, and at last succeeded. 
In consequence of that monarch’s wishes, Henry was per¬ 
suaded by the cardinal to an interview with that prince. 
This expensive congress was held between Guisnes and 
Andres, near Calais, within the English pale, in compliment 
to Henry for crossing the sea. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What combination of circumstances favoured Henry the Eighth on com¬ 
ing to the throne ? 

3. What was the conduct of Henry after the truce with France ? 

4. In what counsels did Henry chiefly confide ? 

5 Whose son was cardinal Wolsey ? *-» 

6 What disgraceful circumstance happened to Wolsey? 

7, 8. What circumstances led to Wolsey’s advancement? 

9 What were the arts used by Wolsey to please the king ? 

10 What were the consequences? 

11 In what manner did YVolsey’s character now manifest itself? 

12 With whom did he enter into a correspondence ? 


SECTION II. 

Al Guisnes, where Fiance and England met 
In dazzling panoply of gold. — Dibdin. 

I fA.D. 1520.) Some months before, a defiance had been 
cent by the two kings to each other’s court, and through 
all the chief cities of Europe, importing that Henry and 




152 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Frnncis with fourteen aids, would be ready in the plains 
of Picardy to answer all coiners, that were gentlemen, at 
tilt and tournav.* Accordingly, the monarchs, now all 
gorgeously apparelled, entered the lists on horseback ; 
Francis, surrounded with Henry’s guards, and Henry with 
those of Francis. 2. They were both at that time the 
most comely peYsonages of their age, and prided themselves 
)u tneir exoertness m the military exercises. The ladies 
jvere tne judges in these feats of chivalry ; and they put an 
end to the encounter whenever they thought proper. In 
tnese martial exercises, the crafty French monarch gratified 
Henry’s vanity by allowing him to enjoy a petty pre-eminence 
in tnese pastimes. 

8. Bv this time all the immense treasures of the late king 
were Quite exhausted on empty pageants, guilty pleasures, 
or vain treaties and expeditions. But the king relied oil 
Wolsev alone for replenishing his coffers ; and no person 
could he fitter for the purpose, 4. His first care was to get 
a large sum of money from the people, under the title of a 
benevolence ; which, added to its being extorted, had the 
mortification of being considered as a free gift. Henry little 
minded the manner of its being raised, provided he had the 
enjoyment of it; however, his minister met with some oppo¬ 
sition in his attempts to levy these extorted contributions. 
In the first place, having exacted a considerable sum from 
the clergy, he next addressed himself to the house of com¬ 
mons : but they only granted him half the supplies he de¬ 
manded. 5. Wolsev was at first highly offended at their 
parsimony, and desired to be heard in the house ; but as 
tins would have destroyed the very form and constitution of 
that august body, they replied, that none could be permitted 
to sit and argue there but such as had been elected mem¬ 
bers. This was the first attempt made in this reign to 
render the king master of the debates in parliament. Wolsey 
first paved the way, and, unfortunately for the kingdom 
Uenrv too well improved upon his plans soon after. 

6. Hitherto the administration of all affairs was carried 
on bv Wolsev ; for the king was contented to lose, in the 
embraces of his mistresses, all the complaints ol his sub¬ 
jects ; and the cardinal undertook to keep him ignorant 
in order to continue his uncontrolled authority. But now 
a period was approaching that was to put ai. end to this* 

This pame vas instituted by Henry I. of Germany 4 D. 919, ono abo¬ 
lished in i 50o. 


HENRY VIII. 


153 


minister’s exorbitant power. One of the most extraordi¬ 
nary and important revolutions that ever employed the 
attention of man was now ripe for execution. This was 
no less a change than die reformation. 7. The vices and 
impositions of the church of Rome were now almost come 
to a head ; and the increase of arts and learning among the 
laity, propagated by means of printing, which had been 
lately invented, began to make them resist that power, 
which was originally founded on deceit. A.D. 1519. Leo 
the Tenth was at that time pope, and eagerly employed in 
building the church of St. Peter, at Rome. In order to 
procure money for carrying on that expensive undertaking 
1 e gave a commission for selling indulgences, a practice 
that had often been tried before. 8. These were to free 
the purchaser from the pains of purgatory ; and they would 
serve even for one’s frie.nds, if purchased with that inten¬ 
tion. The Augustine friars* had usually been employed in 
Saxony to preach the indulgences, and from this trust had 
derived both profit and consideration; but the pope’s 
minister, supposing that they had found out illicit methods 
of secreting the money, transferred this lucrative employ¬ 
ment from them to the Dominicans.! 9. Martin Luther, 
professor in the university of Wirtemherg, was an Augus- 
* tine monk, and one of those who resented this transfer of 
the sale of indulgences from one order to another. He 
began to show his indignation by preaching against their 
efficacy ; and being naturally of a fiery temper, and pro¬ 
voked by opposition, he inveighed against the authority of 
the pope himself. Being driven hard by his adversaries, 
still as he enlarged his reading, in order to support his 
tenets, he discovered some new abuse or error in the 
church of Rome. 10. In this dispute, it was the fate of 
Henry to be champion on both sides. His father, who 
had given him the education of a scholar, permitted him to 
be instructed in school divinity, which then was the princi¬ 
pal object of learned inquiry. Henry, therefore, willing to 
convince the world of his abilities in that science, obtained 
the pope’s permission to read the works of Luther, which 

* They observed the rule of St. Augustine, prescribed them by pope Alex¬ 
ander IV. in 1256. This rule was, to have all things in common: the rich 
who entered among them, were compelled to sell their possessions, and give 
mem to the poor. 

1 In some places called jacobins, and in others predicants, or preaching 
friars ; thev were obliged to take a vow of absolute poverty, and to abandon 
entirely their revenues and possessions. 


154 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


had been forbidden under Dain of excommunication. 11. in 
oonseouence of this, the king defended the seven sacraments, 
out of St. Thomas Aauinas: and showed some dexterity 
in this science, though it is thought that Wolsey had the 
chief hand in directing him. A book being thus finished in 
haste, it was sent to Home for the pope's approbation, which 
it was natural to suppose would not be withheld. The 
pontiff, ravished with its eloquence and depth, compared 
t to the labours of St. Jerome, or St. Augustine, and re¬ 
warded tfie author of it with the title of defender of the 
faith ; little imagining that Henry was soon to be one the 
most terrible enemies that ever the church of Rome had to 
contend with. 


Questions for Examination. 

1.2. Relate the particulars ol the co: gress«that took place in the plains of 
Picartiv. 

3. In what manner were the late kintr’s treasures exhausted ? 

4. How were the king’s coders replenished ? 

5. What was the first attempt made to render the king master of the de¬ 

flates in parliament - 

6. Whv did Wolsey endeavour to keep the king ignorant of the complaints 

of his sutuects / 

7. What practices led to the reformanon ? 

1). In wtia: manner did Luther oppose the transfer of the sale of indul¬ 
gences < 

10 11. What was the king’s conduct on this occasion? and what was his 
reward ! 


SECTION III. 

When, thunderstruck, that eagle Wolsey fell. — Young. 

1. (A.D. 1527.) Henry had now been eighteen years 
married to Catharine of Arragon, who had been brought 
over from Spain, and married to his eldest brother, who 
died a few months alter. But, notwithstanding the submis- 
sive deference paid for the indulgence of the church, Hen¬ 
ry s marriage with this princess did not pass without scru¬ 
ple and hesitation, both on his own side and on that of the 
people. 2. However, his scruples were carried forward 
though perhaps not at first excited by a motive much more 
powerful than the tacit suggestion of his conscience. It 
happened that among the maids of honour then attending 
the queen, there was one Anna Bullen, the daughter of sir 
Thomas Bullen, a gentleman of distinction, and related to 
most ol the nobility. He had been employed by the king 





HENRY VTTI. 


155 


on peveral embassies, and was married to a daughter of the 
duke of Norfolk. 3. The beautv of Anna surpassed what¬ 
ever had hitherto appeared at this voluptuous court; and 
her education, which she had received at Paris, set off 
her personal charms. Henry, who had never learned 
the art of restraining any passion that he desired to gra¬ 
tify, saw and loved her; but, of course, could not marrv 
her without previously divorcing his wife, queen Catha¬ 
rine of Arragon. 4. This obstacle, therefore, he hardly 
undertook to remove; and as his own queen was now 
become hateful to him, iu order to procure a divorce, 
he alleged that his conscience rebuked him for having 
so long been married to the wife of his brother. In 
this pretended perplexity, therefore, he applied to Cle¬ 
ment the Seventh, who owed him many obligations, desir¬ 
ing him to dissolve the bull of the former pope, which had 
given him permission to marry Catharine : and to declare 
that it was not in the power, even of the holy see, to dis¬ 
pense with the law so strictly enjoined in Scripture. 6. 
The unfortunate pope, unwilling to grant, yet afraid to re¬ 
fuse, continued to promise, recant, dispute, and temporize* 
hoping that the king’s passion would never hold out during 
the tedious course of an ecclesiastical controversy. In this 
he was entirely mistaken. Henry had been long taught to 
dispute as well as he, and quickly found oi wrested many 
texts in Scripture to favour his opinions, or his passions, 
6. During the course of a long perplexing negotiation, on 
the issue of which Henry’s happiness seemed to depend, ho 
had at first expected to find in his favourite Wolsey a warm 
defender and a steady adherent: but in this he found him¬ 
self mistaken. Wolsey seemed to he in pretty much the 
same dilemma with the pope. On the one hand, he was 
to please his master the kins, from whom he had received 
a thousand marks of favour ; and on the other hand, he 
feared to disoblige the pope, whose servant ne more imme¬ 
diately was, and who, besides, had power to punish his dis¬ 
obedience. 7. He, therefore, resolved to jntnnie neuter 
in the controversy ; and, though of all men the most haughty 
he gave way on this occasion to Campeggio, the pope's nun 
cio, in all things, pretending a deference to his skili m canon 
law. Wolsey’s scheme of temporizing was highly displeas¬ 
ing to the king, but for a while he endeavoured to stifle his 
resentment, until lie could act with more fatal certar.it 


15G 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


lie for some time looked out fora man of equal abilities and 
less art; and it was not long before accident threw in his 
way one Thomas Cranmer, of greater talents, and probanjj 
of more integrity. 

8, Thus finding himself provided with a person who 
could supply Wolsey’s place, he appeared less reserved in 
his resentments against that prelate. The attorney-general 
was ordered to prepare a bill of indictment against him; and 
he was soon after commanded to resign the great seal 
Crimes are easily found out against a favourite in disgrace, 
and the courtiers did not fail to increase the catalogue of his 
errors. He was ordered to depart from York-place palace, 
and all his furniture and plate were converted to the king’s 
use. 9. The inventory of his goods being taken, they were 
found to exceed even the most extravagant smmises. He 
was soon after arrested by the earl of Northumberland, at 
the king’s command, for high-treason, and preparations were 
made for conducting him from York, where he then resided, 
to London, in order to take his trial. 10. He at first refused 
to comply with the requisition, as being a cardinal ; but find* 
ing the earl bent on, performing his commission, he com 
plied, and set out by easy journeys to London, to appear as 
a criminal, where he had acted as a king. In his way he 
stayed a fortnight at the earl of Shrewsbury’s ; where one 
day, at dinner, he was taken ill, not without violent suspi¬ 
cions of having poisoned himself. Being brought forward 
from thence, he with much difficulty reached Leicester-ab- 
bey ; where the monks coming out to meet him, he said, 
“ Father Abbot, I am come to lay my bones among you 
and immediately ordered his bed to be prepared. 11. As 
his disorder increased, an officer being placed near him, at 
once to guard and attend him, he spoke to him a little before 
he expired to this effect : “ Had I but served God as dili¬ 
gently as 1 have served the king, he would not have given 
me over in my gray hairs. But this is the just reward 1 
must receive for my indulgent pains and study ; not regard¬ 
ing my service to God, but only to my prince.” He died 
soon after, in all the pangs of remorse, and left a life which 
had all a.ong been rendered turbid by ambition, and wretch¬ 
ed by mean assiduities. 

12. The tie that held Henry to the church being thus 
broken, he resolved to keep no farther measures with the 
pontiff He, therefore, privately married Anna Bullen. 


11ENRY VIII. 


157 



Death of Queen C tharme of Arra^on. 


whom he had created marchioness of Pembroke ; the duke 
ol Norfolk, uncle to the new queen, her father, and Dr 
Oranmer, being present at the ceremony. Soon after, cir¬ 
cumstances compelled him publicly to own his marriage; 
and, to cover his disobedience to the pope with an appear¬ 
ance of triumph, he passed with his beautiful bridle through 
London with a magnificence greater than had ever been 
known before. But though Henry had thus seceded from 
the church, yet he had not addicted himself to the system 
of the reformers. 

13. As the monks had all along shown him the giearest 
resistance, he resolved at once to deprive them of future 
power to injure him. He accordingly empowered Thomas 
Cromwell, who was now made secretary of state, to send 
commissioners into the several counties of England to inspect 
the monasteries, and to report with rigorous exactness the 
conduct and deportment of such as were resident there 
This employment was readily undertaken by some creatures 
of the court, namely, Layton, London, Price. Cage, Peter, 
and Bellasis, who are said to have discovered monstrous 
disorders in many of the religious houses. The accusations, 
whether true or false, were urged with great clamour against 
these communities, and a general horror was excited in the 
nation against them. 

14. Queen Catharine of Arragon, Henry’s first wife, lived in 
retirement after her divorce until her decease. She was one 
of the brightest characters in English history. Her charac¬ 
ter and death are admirably depicted by Shakspeare 

' () 

















158 


HISTORY OF ENGLANI). 


Questions for Examination- 

1 Who was Henry’s first wife ? 

2. Whom did he afterwards wish to obrain? 

3 What description is given of Anna Bullen ? 

4. What pretence did Henry allege to procure a divorce * 

5. Wha was the conduct of the jiope ? 

ti. What were the circumstances which put an end to Wolsey e power* 
H. In what manner did the king act towards him? 
y. What account is given of the inventory of his goods? 

10. What circumstances preceded the death of Wolsey ? 

II Relate Wolsey’s expression immediately before his death 
12. What followed Wolsey’s death ? 

13 What commission did the king give to Cromwell« 

14 What is said of queen Catharine ? 


SECTION IV. 

Tyrannic cruelty, voluptuous pride. 

Insatiable licentiousness and guilt. 

So share this monarch, we can ne’er decide 
On what one vice his ruling wish was built.— - Dibdin. 

1. (A.l). 1536.) A new visitation of the religious houses 
was soon after appointed, and fresh crimes were also pro* 
duced ; so that his severities were conducted with such seem¬ 
ing justice and success, that in less than two years he became 
possessed of all the monastic revenues. These, on the whole, 
amounted to six hundred and forty-five, of which twenty-eight 
had abbots who enjoyed a seat in parliament. Ninety colleges 
were demolished in several counties ; two thousand three hun¬ 
dred and seventy-four chantries and free chapels, and a hun¬ 
dred and ten hospitals. 2. The whole revenue of these esta¬ 
blishments amounted to one hundred and sixtv-one thousand 
pounds, which was about a twentieth pari of the national 
income. Hut as great murmurs were excited by somt on 
this occasion, Henry took care that all those who could be 
useful to him, or even dangerous in case of opposition, 
should be sharers in the spoil. IIp either made a gift of the 
revenues of the convents to his principal courtiers, or sold 
them at low prices, or exchanged them for other lands on 
very disadvantageous terms. 

3. Henry’s opinions were at length delivered in a law, 
which, from its horrid consequences, was afterwards termed 
the Bloody Statute; by which it was ordained, that who¬ 
ever, by word or writing, denied transubstantiation, whoever 
maintained that the communion in both kinds was necessary 
whoever asserted that it was lawful for priests to marry, 
whoever alleged that vows of chastity might be broken, 
whoever maintained that private masses were unprofitable, 
or that auricular confession was unnecessary, should be found 



HENRY VIII. 


159 

guilty of heresy, and burned or hanged as the court should 
determine. 4. As the people were at that time chiefly com* 
posed of those who followed the opinions of Luther, and 
such as still adhered to the [tope, this statute, with Henry's 
former decrees, in some measure included both, and opened 
a field for persecution, which soon after produced its dread¬ 
ful harvests. Bainham and Bilney were burned for their 
opposition to popery. Sir Thomas More and bishop Fisher 
were beheaded for denying the king’s supremacy. 

5. These severities, however, were preceded by one of a 
different nature, arising neither from religious nor political 
causes, but merely from a tyrannical caprice. Anna BuLen. 
his queen, had always been favourable to the reformation, 
and consequently had many enemies on that account, who 
only waited some fit occasion to destroy her credit with the 
king, and that occasion presented itself but too soon. 6. 
The king’s passion was by this time abated, and he became 
as desirous to divorce the queen as he had formerly been 
to marry her. He was now fallen in love, if we may so 
prostitute the expression, with another, and was desirous 
to marry Jane Seymour, who had for some time been maid 
of honour to the queen. 

7. In the mean time her enemies were not remiss in rais 
ing an accusation against her. The duke of Norfolk, from 
his attachment to the old religion, took care to produce seve¬ 
ral witnesses, accusing her of impropriety with some of 
the meaner servants of the court. Four persons were par¬ 
ticularly pointed out as her favourites; Henry Norris, 
groom of the stool; Weston and Breton, gentlemen of the 
king’s bedchamber; together with Mark Smeaton, a musi¬ 
cian. 8. Accordingly, soon afler, Norris, Weston, Breton 
and Smeaton were tried in Westminster-hall, when Smeaton 
was prevailed upon, by the promise of a pardon, to confess 
a criminal correspondence with the queen ; but he was never 
confronted with her he accused; and his execution with the 
rest, shortly after, served to acquit her of the charge. 9. 
Norris, who had been much in the king’s favour, had an 
offer of his life if he would confess his crime, and accus 
his mistress; but he rejected the proposal with contempt 
and died professing her innocence and his own. The queen 
and her brother were tried by a jury of peers ; hut upon 
what proof or pretence the crime was urged against them 
p unknown: the chief evidence, it is said, amounted to 
no more than that Rochford had been seen to lean on her 


100 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


bed before some company. 10. Part of the charge against 
her was, that she had declared to her attendants that the king 
never had her heart: which was considered as a Sianuer 
upon the throne, and strained into a breach of law by statute, 
by which it was declared criminal to throw any slander upon 
the king, queen, or their issue. The unhappy queen, though 
unassisted by counsel, defended herself with gre^t judgment 
nd presence of mind; and the spectators could not forbear 
declaring her entirely innocent. 11. She answered distinctly 
to all the charges brought against her: but the king’s authorit)' 
was not to be controlled ; she was declared guilty, and her sen* 
tenee ran that she should he burned or beheaded at the king’s 
pleasure. On the morning of her execution, her sentence being 
mitigated into beheading, she sent for Kingstone, the keeper 
of the 'Tower, to whom, upon entering the prison, she said, 
“ Mr. Kingstone, I hear I am not to die till noon, and I am 
sorry for it; for 1 thought to be dead before this time, and 
free from a life of pain.” 12. 'The keeper attempting to 
comfort her by assuring her the pain would be very little, 
she replied, “ 1 have heard the executioner is very expert; 
and (clasping her neck with her hands, laughing) I have but 
a little neck.” When brought to the scaffold, from a con- 
sideration of her child Elizabeth’s welfare, she would not 
inflame the minds of the spectators against her prosecutors, 
but contented herself with saying, that “ she was come to 
die as she was sentenced by the law.” 13. She would ac¬ 
cuse none, nor say any thing of the ground upon which she 
Was judged ; she prayed heartily for the king, and called 
him “ a most merciful and gentle prince : that he had always 
been to her a good and gracious sovereign ; and if that any 
one should think proper to canvass her cause, sue desired 
him to judge the best.” She was beheaded by the execu¬ 
tioner of Calais, who was brought over, as much more expert 
than any in England. 14. 'The very next day after her 
execution he married the lady Jane Seymour, his cruel heart 
being no way softened by the wretched fate of one that had 
been so lately the object of his warmest affections. He also 
ordered his parliament to give him a divorce between her 
sentence and execution, and thus he endeavoured to render 
Elizabeth, the only child he had by her, illegitimate, as lie 
had m the same manner, formerly Mary, his only child b? 
queen Catharine. 


HENRY VIII. 


161 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What monastic revenues now came into the king’s uossessioal 

2 What was ihe amount of these revenues ? 

3 What were the opinions of' Henry? 

4 What were the horrid consequences ? 

5 What tyrannical act preceded these severities ? 

7 Relate the charges alleged against Anna Bullen. 

9 What is said to have been the chief evidence against her? 

10 What strange charge was brought against her? 

11 What was her behaviour on the trial ? 

12 l i What at her execution ? 

11 In what manner did the king act after her execution ? 


SECTION V. 

Superior Crnnmcr. in a crowd alone, 

Daioe friendship wiili the virtuous fallen own. — Dibdin. i ■ 

1. (A.D. 15*17.) In the midst of these commotions the 
fires of Smithlield were seen to blaze with unusual fierce' 
ness Those who adhered to the pope, or those who fol¬ 
io wed the doctrines of Luther, were equally the objects of 
royal vengeance and ecclesiastical persecution. From tne 
multiplied alterations which were made in the national sys¬ 
tems of belief, mostly drawn up by Henry himself, few 
knew what to think, or what to profess. 2. They were 
ready enough to follow his doctrines', how inconsistent or 
contradictory soever; but, as he was continually changing 
them himself, they could hardly pursue so fast as he advanced 
before them. Thomas Cromwell, raised by the king’s ca¬ 
price from being a blacksmith’s son to be a royal favourite 
ffor tyrants ever raise their favourites from 'lie lowest of the 
people), together with Cranmer, now become archbishop of 
Canterbury, were both seen to favour the reformation with 
all their endeavours. 3. On the other hand, Gardiner, 
bishop of Winchester, together with the duke of Norfolk, 
were for leading the king back to his original faith. In 
fact, Henry submitted to neither; his pride had long been 
bo inflamed by flattery, that he thought himself entitled to 
regulate, by his own single opinion, the religious faith of 
the whole nation. 

4 Soon after, no less than five hundred persons were nn 
prisoned for contradicting the opinions delivered in the 
Bloody Statute: and received protection only from the lenity 
jf Cromwell. Lambert, a schoolmaster, and doctor Barnes 
who had been instrumental in Lambert’s execution, felt the 

o 2 



182 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


severity of the persecuting spirit, and by a bill in parliament, 
without any trial, were condemned to the flames, discussing 
theological questions at the very stake. With Barnes Averc 
executed one Gerrard, and Jerome, for the same opinions 
Three catholics also, whose names were Abel, Featherstone, 
and Powel, were dragged upon the same hurdles to exccu- 
lion ; and who declared that the most grievous part of then 
unishment was the being coupled with such heretical mis¬ 
creants as were united in the same calamity. 

5. During these horrid transactions, Henry was resolved 
to take another queen, Jane Seymour having died ; and 
after some negotiations upon the continent, he contract¬ 
ed marriage with Anne of Cleves, his aim being, by 
her means, to fortify his alliance with the princes of Gei- 
manv. 6. His aversion, however, to the queen secretly 
increased every day ; and he at length resolved to get rid of 
her and his prime minister together. He had a strong cause 
of dislike to him for his late unpropitious alliance ; and a 
new motive was soon added for increasing his displeasure. 
Henry had fixed his affection on Catharine Howard, niece 
to the duke of Norfolk ; and the only method of gratifying 
this new passion was, as in the former cases, discarding the 
present queen to make room for a new one. The duke of 
Norfolk had long been Cromwell’s mortal enemy, and eagerly 
embraced this opportunity to destroy a man he considered as 
his rival. 7. He therefore, made use of all his niece's arts 
to ruin the favourite ; and Avhen this project Avas ripe for 
execution, he obtained a commission from the king to arrest 
Cromwell for high-treason. His disgrace Avas no sooner 
known, than all his friends forsook him, except Cranmer, 
Avho wrote such a letter to Henry in his behalf, as t.o other 
man in the. kingdom would have presumed to offer How¬ 
ever, he was accused in parliament of heresy and treason ; 
and Avithout even being heard in his oavii defence, condemn 
ed to suffer the pains of death, as the king should think 
proper to direct. 8. When he Avas brought to the scaffold, 
his regard for his son hindered him from expatiating upon 
his oavii innocence. He thanked God for bringing him to 
death for his transgressions ; confessed he had often been 
seduced, but that he now died in the catholic faith. 

But the measure of Henry’s severities Avas not yet filled 
up. He had thought himself very happy in his new mar¬ 
riage. He Avas so captivated Avith the queen’s accomplish¬ 
ments that he gave public thanks for his felicity, and desired 


HENRY VIII. 


163 


his confessor to join with him in the saino thanksgiving’. 
J. This joy, however, was of very short duration. While the 
king was at York, upon an intended conference with the 
king of Scotland, a man of the name of Lassels waited upon 
Cranmer at London; and, from the information of his sis¬ 
ter, who had been servant to the dutchess-dovvager of JNor 
folk, he gave a very surprising account of the queen’s crimi¬ 
nality. When the queen was first examined relative to 
her crime, she denied the charge ; but afterwards, finding 
that her accomplices were her accusers, she confessed her 
crime in part, but denied some of the circumstances. 10 
Three maids of honour, who were admitted to her secrets 
still further alleged her guilt; and some of them mad 
such confessions as tended to augment the nature of hei 
crime. The servile parliament, upon being informed of 
the queen’s crime and confession, quickly found her guilty, 
and petitioned the king that she might be punished with 
death ; that the same penalty might be indicted on the 
lady Rochford, her friend and confidant ; and that her 
grandmother, the dutchess-dovvager of Norfolk, together 
with her father, mother, and nine others, men and women, 
as having been privy to the queen’s irregularities, should 
participate in her punishment. With this petition the 
king was most graciously pleased to agree; they were 
condemned to death by an act of attainder, which, at the 
same time, made it capital for all persons to conceal theii 
knowledge of the criminality of any future queen. 11. 
The queen was beheaded on Tower-hill, together with the 
lady Rochford, who found no great degree of compassion, 
as siie had herself before tampered in blood. 


Questions Jor Examination. 

1 tVhat cruel persecution followed the multiplied alterations in the notion? 

l*elief ? 

2 Who favoured the reformation ? 

3. Who endeavoured to lead the king hack to popery? 

5. Upon whom did Henry fix his affections ? 

6. What caused Henry’ dislike to Cromwel, < and what wnu the conse¬ 

quence ? 



fG4 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

P fn what manner was the king informer] of the criimnamy of Li* 
queen ? 

10 Who were the witnesses that alleged her guilt ? 

J1 What was the fate of the queer. ? 


SECTION VI. 

I would not have such a heart in my bosom 
For the dignity of the whole body.— Shakspcare. 


1. (A.D. 1543.) In about a year after the death of the 
last queen, Henry once more changed his condition, by 
marrying his sixth and last wife, Catherine Parr, who was 
a widow. She was the widow of the late lord Latimer; 
and was considered as a woman of discretion and virtue. 
She had already passed the meridian of life, and managed 
this capricious tyrant’s temper with prudence and success 

2. Still, however, the king’s severity to his subjects con¬ 
tinued as fierce as ever. For some time he had been incom¬ 
moded by an ulcer in his leg; the pain of which, added to 
his corpulence and other infirmities, increased his natura, 
irascibility to such a degree, that scarcely any of his domes¬ 
tics approached him without terror. It was not to be ex¬ 
pected, therefore, that any who differed from him in opinioD 
should, at this time particularly, hope for pardon. 

3. Though his health was declining apace, yet his im¬ 
placable cruelties were not the less frequent. His resentment 
was diffused indiscriminately to all; at one time a \ rotes- 
tant, and at another a catholic, were the objects of his se¬ 
verity. The duke of Norfolk, and his son, the earl of 
Surry, were the last that felt the injustice of the tyrant’s 
groundless suspicions. 4. The duke was a nobleman who 
had served the king with talent and fidelity ; his son was 
a young man of the most promising hopes, who excelled in 
every accomplishment that became a scholar, a courtier, 
and a soldier. He excelled in all the military exercises 
which were then in request; he encouraged the fine arts 
by his practice and example ; and it is remarkable that 
he was the first who brought our language, in his poetical 
pieces, to any degree of refinement. 5. He celebrated 
the fair Geraldine in all his sonnets, and maintained her 
buperior beauty in all places of public contention. These 



HENRY VIII. 


1(55 

qualifications, however, were no safeguard to him against 
Henry’s suspicions ; he had dropped some expressions of 
resentment against the king’s ministers, upon being dis- 
placed from the government of Boulogne; and the whole 
family was become obnoxious from the la e conduct 
ol Catharine Howard, the queen, who was executed. 0. 
h rom these motives, therefore, private orders were given 
to arrest father and son ; and accordingly they were ar¬ 
rested both on the same day, and confined in the Tower. 
Surry being a commoner, his trial was the more expe¬ 
ditious : and as to proofs, there were many informers base 
enough to betray the intimacies of private confidence, and 
all the connexions of blood. The dutchess-dowager of 
Richmond, Surry’s own sister, enlisted herself among the 
number of his accusers; and sir Richard Southwell also, 
his most intimate friend, charged him with infidelity to 
the king. 7. It would seem that, at this dreary period, 
there was neither faith nor honour to be found in all the 
nation. Surry denied the charge, and challenged his ac- 
cuser to single combat. This favour was refused him; and 
it was alleged that he had quartered the arms of Edward 
the Confessor on his escut3heon, which alone was sufficient 
to convict him of aspiring to the crown. To this he could 
make no reply ; and indeed any answer would have been 
needless; for neither parliaments nor juries, during this 
reign, seemed to be guided by any other proofs but the will 
of the crown. 8. This young nobleman was, therefore, 
condemned for high-treason 1 , notwithstanding his eloquent 
and spirited defence ; and the sentence was soon after exe* 
cuted upon him on Tower-hill. In the mean time the duke 
endeavoured to mollify the king by letters of submission ; 
but the monster’s hard heart was rarely subject to tender 
impressions. 9. ’The parliament meeting on the fourteenth 
day of January (A.D. 1546), a bill of attainder was found 
against the duke of Norfolk ; as it was thought he could not 
so easily have been convicted on a fair hearing by his 
peers. The death-warrant was made out, and immediately 
sent to the lieutenant of the Tower. The duke prepared foi 
death; the following morning was to be his last; but an 
event of greater consequence to the kingdom intervened, and 
prevented his execution. 

10. The king had been for some time approaching fas! 
towards his end ; and for several days all those about his 
person plainly saw that his speedy death was inevitable. 


100 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


The disorder in his leer was now grown extremely painful 
and this added to his monstrous corpulency, which ien 
derod him unable to stir, made him more furious than a 
chained lion. He had been very stern and severe; he was 
now outrageous. In this state he had continued for nearly 
four years before his death, the terror o r all, and the tor¬ 
mentor of himself; his courtiers having no inclination to 
make an enemy of him, as they were more ardently em¬ 
ployed in conspiring the death of each other.* 11. In this 
manner, therefore, he was suffered to struggle, without any 
of his domestics having the courage to warn him of his ap 
proaching end ; as more than once, during this reign, per¬ 
sons had been put to death for foretelling the death of the 
king. At last, sir Anthony Denny had the courage to dis¬ 
close to him this dreadful secret ; and, contrary to his usual 
custom, he received the tidings with an expression of resig¬ 
nation. 12. His anguish and remorse were at this time 
greater than can be expressed ; he desired that Cranmer 
might be sent for ; but before that prelate could arrive he 
was speechless. Cranmer desired him to give some sign 
of Ins dying in the faith of Christ; he squeezed his hand, 
and immediately expired, after a reign of thirty-seven years 
and nine months, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. 

13. Some kings have been tyrants from contradiction 
and revolt; some from being misled by favourites; and 
some from a spirit of party ; but Henry was cruel from a 


* The irritability of the king was so ungovernable, that many fell victims 
to it; ami his queen, who constantly attended him with the most tender and 
dutiful care, had also, as will he seen hy the following account, nearly fallen 
a sacrifice. Henry’s favourite topic of conversation was theology, ano 
Catharine had unwarilv ventured to raise objections against his arguments 
llenry, highly provoked that she should presume to differ from his opinion 
complained of her obstinacy to Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, the chancel 
lor, who inflamed his anger hy representing the queen as a dangerous here 
tic. Hurried by their insinuations, he went so far as to direct ihc chancellor 
to draw up articles of impeachment, which he signed. This paper fortu¬ 
nately fell into the hands of one of the queen’s friends, who immediately ear¬ 
ned ihe intelligence to her Next morning she paid her usual visit to the 
king, and finding him disposed to challenge her to an argument on divinity 
she modestly declined the conversation, saying, ‘hat ii did not become 8 
weak woman to dispute with one, who, hy his superior learning, was enti¬ 
tled to dictate, not only to her, hut to the whole world ; and that if ever she 
had ventured to object to any thing he advanced, it was only for the sake 
of her own instruction, and to engage him upon topics which liver’ed hjti 
pains. This seasonable piece of flattery suddenly re v ived his affections, and 
the chancellor coming soon after with n nmiierou i escort to seize the queen 
and carry her to the Tower, the king treated him ve.y tcnghly. calling him 
snave, tool, and beast, and Commanded him to he gene -De Mi4tville, 
Great Britain. 


IIENRY VIII. 


167 


depraved disposition alone; cruel in government, cruel in 
religion, and cruel in .his family. Our divines have taken 
some pains to vindicate the character of this brutal prince, 
as if his conduct and our reformation had any connexion 
with each other. There is nothing so absurd as to defend 
e one by the other; the most noble designs are brought 
about bv the most vicious instruments ; for we see even that 
cruelty ana injustice were thought necessary to be employed 
in our holy redemption. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. To whom was the king now married ? 

2 What at this time increased the king’s irascibility? 

3 Who were the last who felt this severity ? 

4, 5. What character is given of the earl of Surry ? 

6. Who appeared among the number of Surry’s accusers? 

7. What was the chief charge alleged against this nobleman? 

8. Where was he executed ! 

9. What was the fate of his father, the duke of Norfolk? 

10. What description is given of the king during his illness? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

A.D. 

Julius II..... 1503 

LeoX. 1513 

A.Irian VI. 1522 

Clement VII. 1523 

Paul 111. 1534 

Emperors of German >/. 

Maximilian 1. 1493 

Charles V. 1519 

F.rnpc r ors of the Turks. 

Bnjazet II. 1481 

Selim 1. 1512 

Solitnan II. 1520 


Kings of France, a.d. 

Louis XII. 1498 

Francis 1. 1515 

Kings and Qu. of Spain. 

Philip 1. 1504 

Joan. 1506 

Charles 1. 1516 

Kings of Portugal. 

j Emanuel. 1495 

[John III. 1512 

Kings of Denmark and 

Sweden. 

John. 1481 


Christian II.... 


A XJ 

151c 


Kings of Denmark 
alone. 

Frederick 1. 1524 

Christian III. 1533 

King of Sweden ilove. 
Gustavus Vasa*... 1522 

Kings and Queen of 
Scotland. 

James IV. 1498 

James V.1511 

Mary. ... 1542 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury; cardinal Wolsey and sir 
Thomas More, lord chancellors; Thomas, lord CromweW; Gardiner, bisnop 
ol Winchester; Ilenrv Howard, earl of Surrv; Nicholas, lord Vaux • John 
Bourchier, lord Berners; George Boleyn, viscount Rochford ; John, lord 
Lunilcy , Edward, lord Shellield ; dean Collet. 


* Gi’stavus Vasa delivered Sweden from the Danish yoko and for his 
recoin cnee was elected its independent sovereign 































1C8 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

EDWARD VI. 

orn I5.T Died July 6, 1553. Began to ’•eign Jan. 20, 1547. Reigned Gj veara 

Men perish in advances as if the son 
Should set ere noon. Young. 

1. (A. D. 1547.) Henry the Eighth was succeeded on 
the throne by his only son, Edward the Sixth, now in the 
ninth year of his age. The late king, in his will, which lie 
expected would be implicitly obeyed, fixed the majority of 
the prince at the completion of his eighteenth year ; and, in 
the mean time, appointed sixteen executors of his will, to 
whom, during the minority, he intrusted the government of 
the king and kingdom : the duke of Somerset, as protector, 
being placed at their head. 

2. The protector, in his schemes for advancing the re¬ 
formation, had always recourse to the counsels of Cranmer 
who, being a man of moderation and prudence, was averse 
to violent changes, and determined to bring over the people 
by insensible innovations to his own peculiar system. 

3 A committee of bishops and divines had been appointed 
by the council to frame a liturgy for the service of the 
church ; and this work was executed with great moderation, 
precision, and accuracy. A law was also enacted, permit¬ 
ting priests to marry ; the ceremony of auricular confession, 
though not abolished, was left at the discretion of the people, 
who were not displeased at being freed from the spiritual 
tyranny of their instructors ; the doctrine of the real pre¬ 
sence was the last tenet of popery that was wholly aban¬ 
doned by the people, as both the clergy and laity were loth 
eo renounce so miraculous a benefit as it was asserted to be. 
4. However, at last, not only this, but all the principal 
opinions and practices of the catholic religion, contrary to 
what the Scripture authorizes, were abolished ; and the 
reformation, such as we have it, was almost entirely com¬ 
pleted in England. With all these innovations the people 
and clergy in general acquiesced ; and Gardiner and Bon 
ner were the only persons whose opposition was thought of 
any weight; they were, therefore, sent to the Tower, and 
threatened with the king’s further displeasure in case of dis¬ 
obedience. A D. 1548 


EDWARD VI. 


109 


5. For all these the protector gained great applause anrf 
popularity; but he was raised to an enviable degree of 
eminence, and his enemies were numerous in proportion to 
his exaltation. Of all the ministers at that time in council, 
Dudley, earl of Warwick, was the most artful, ambitious, 
and unprincipled. Resolved, at any rate, to possess the 
principal place under the king, he cared not what means 
were to be used in acquiriug it. However, unwilling to 
throw of]’ the mask, he covered the most exorbitant views 
under the fairest appearances. Having associated himself 
with the earl of Southampton, he formed a strong party in 
the council, who were determined to free themselves from 
the control the protector assumed over them. That noble¬ 
man was, in fact, now grown obnoxious to a very prevailing 
party in the kingdom. 7. He was hated by the nobles for 
his superior magnificence and power ; he was hated by the 
catholic party for his regard to the reformation ; he w T as 
disliked by many for his severity to his brother; besides, 
the great estate he had raised at the expense of the church 
and the crown rendered him obnoxious to all. The palace 1 * 
which he was then building in the Strand served also, by 
its magnificence, and still more so by the unjust methods 
that w r ere taken to raise it, to expose him to the censures of 
the public. The parish church of St. Mary, with three 
bishops’ houses, were pulled down to furnish ground and 
materials for the structure. 

8. He was soon afterwards sent to the Tower; and the 
chief article of which he was accused was his usurpation of 
the government, and taking all the power into his own 
hands ; but his great riches were the real cause. Several 
others of a slighter tint were added to invigorate this accu¬ 
sation, but none of them could be said to amount to high- 
treason. 9. In consequence of these, a bill of attainder was 
preferred against him in the house of lords : but Somerset 
contrived for this time to elude the rigour of their sentence, 
by having previously, on his knees, confessed the charge 
before the members of the council. 10. In consequence ol 
this confession, he was deprived of all his offices and goods, 
together witli a great part of his landed estates, which were 
forfeited to the use of the crown. This tine on his estate 
was soon after remitted by the King ; and Somerset, once 
more, contrary to the expectation of all, recovered his li- 


* ShO called Somerset house. 

P 


170 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


berty. He was even readmitted into the council. IIa|»pv 
lor him if his ambition had not revived with his security ! 

II. In fact, lie could not help now and then bursting out 
into invectives against the king and government, which were 
quickly carried to his secret enemy, the earl of Warwick, 
who was now become the duke of Northumberland. As he 
was surrounded with that nobleman’s creatures, they took 
Cire to reyeal all the designs which they had themselves 
fust suggested ; and Somerset soon found the fatal effects of 
his rival’s resentment. 12. He was, by Northumberland’s 
command, arrested, with many more accused of being his 
partisans, and was, with his wife, the dutchess, also thrown 
into prison. He was now accused of having formed a 
design to raise an insurrection in the north ; of attacking 
the train-bands on a muster-day ; of plotting to secure the 
Tower, and to excite a rebellion in London. 

13. These charges he strenuously denied ; but he con¬ 
fessed one o« as heinous a nature, which was, that he had 
laid a project for murdering Northumberland, Northampton, 
and Pembroke at a banquet, which was to be given them 
Dy lord Paget. • He was soon after brought to trial before 
the marquis of Winchester, who sat as high-steward on the 
occasion, with twenty-seven peers more, including Northum¬ 
berland, Pembroke, and Northampton, who were at once 
nis judges and accusers; and being found guilty, was 
brought to the scaffold on Tower-hill, where he appeared 
without the least emotion, in the midst of a vast concourse 
of the populace, bv whom he was beloved. 14. He spoke 
to them with great composure, protesting that he had always 
promoted the service of his king, and the interests of true 
religion to the best of his power. The people attested theii 
belief of what he said by crying out, “ It is most true.” An 
universal tumult was beginning to take place ; but Somerset 
desiring them to be still, and not interrupt his last medita¬ 
tions, but to join with him in prayer, he laid down his head, 
and submitted to the stroke of the executioner. 

15. In the mean time, Northumberland had long aimed 
at the first authority ; and the infirm state of the king’s 
health opened alluring prospects to his ambition. He re¬ 
presented to that young prince that his sisters, Mary and 
Elizabeth who were appointed by Henry’s will to succeed 
in failure of direct heirs to the crown, had been declared ille¬ 
gitimate by parliament ; that the queen of Scots, his aunt, 
stood excluded by the king’s will, and, being an alien also. 


EDWARD VI. 


171 


lost all right of succeeding. 16. And, as the three princesses 
vj»wc thus legally excluded, the succession naturally devolved 
to the luarchioness of Dorset, whose next heir was the lady 
Jane Urey, a lady every way accomplished for government, 
as well by the charms of her person as the virtues and ac¬ 
quirements of her mind. The king, who had long sub¬ 
mitted to all the politic views of this designing minister, 
agreed to have the succession admitted to council, where 
Northuinberl-.nd had influence soon after to procure an easy 
concurrence 

17. In the mean time, as the king’s health declined, the 
minister laboured to strengthen his own interests and con¬ 
nexions. His tirst aim was to secure the interest of the 
marquis of Dorset, father to lady Jane Urey, by procuring 
lor him the title of duke of Suffolk, which was lately become 
extinct. Having thus obliged this nobleman, he then pro¬ 
posed a match between his fourth son, lord Uuildford Dud¬ 
ley and Mie lady Jane Urey. 18. Still bent on spreading 
his inte-ests as widely as possible, he married his own 
daught* 1 ’* to Lord Hastings, and had these marriages solem¬ 
nized witn all possible pomp and festivity. Meanwhile, 
Ed warn continued to languish, and several fatal symptoms 
of consumption began to appear. It was hoped, however, 
that bis youth and temperance might get the better of his 
disorders; and, from their love, the people were unwilling 
to think him in danger. 19. It had been remarked, indeed, 
bv some, that his health was visibly seen to decline from 
the moment that the Dudleys were brought about his per¬ 
son. The character of Northumberland might have justly 
given some colour to suspicion ; and his removing all, ex¬ 
cept his own emissaries, from about the king, still farther 
increased the distrusts of the people. Northumberland, 
however, was no way uneasy at their murmurs ; he was as¬ 
siduous in his attendance upon the king, and professed the 
most anxious concern for his safety ; but still drove forward 
his darling scheme of transferring the succession to his own 
aughter-in-law. 

20. The young king was put into the hands of an igno¬ 
rant woman, who very confidently undertook his euro. 
After the use of her medicines, all the bad symptoms in¬ 
creased to a most violent degree ; he felt a difficulty of speech 
and breathing; his pulse failed . his legs swelled ; his colour 
became livid, and many other symptoms appeared of his 
approaching end. He expired ai Greenwich, in the six* 


)72 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



leenth year of his age, and the seventh of his reign, greatly 
regretted by all, as his early virtues gave a prospect of the 
continuance of a happy reign, July 6, 1553. 

An anecdote is related of this king to illustrate his piety 
and reverence for the Scriptures. YVhen in his library, one 
day, being desirous to reach a book on a high shelf, he was 
offered a large Bible as a footstool. But he refused the 
offer, with strong expressions of disapprobation towards the 
attendant who had made it. 


Questions for Ex mmation. 

1. Who succeeded Henry the Eighth ? 

Whw was appointed protector during the king’s minority? 

2, 3. By what methods was the reformation begun and completed ? 

4. Who were sent to the Tower for their aversion to the reformation? 

5. By whom was the protector opposed ? 

7. For what reasons was he universally disliked ? 

S. lLr hat was the chief article of accusation against him ? 

9 By what means did he elude the rigour of his sentence? 

1C Did the protector regain his authority ? 

11 In what manner did he then conduct himself ? 

12 By whose command was he afterwards arrested? 

Of what was he accused ? 

! 1 What confession did he make ? 

11 What was his behaviour when brought to the scaffold ? 

• 5 Who r.ext aspired t j the chief authority? 

16 17 What means did he take to secure it ? 

18 1 J. What circumstances preceded tl e king’s death ? 

20, Whpre and at what age did Ed war the Sixth die? 


King Edward VI. refusing to place his foot on the Bible. 





































MARY 


173 


CONTEMPORA RV SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes 

• A. I). 

Paul III. 1534 

Juliua 111. 1550 

Emperor of Germany 
and King of Spain. 
Charles V. 1547 


Emperor of the Turks. 

A. Li. 

Soliman II. 1520 

Kins of France. 
Henry II. 1547 

King of Portugal. 

John 111. 1541 


King of Denmark. 

a n. 

Charles II. 1534 

King of Sireden. 
Gustavos Vasa . 1522 

Quetn oj Scotland. 
Mary...... 15 h1 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury. Heath and Day. bfshops of Worcester 
«rd Chichester. Lord Seymour. Dukes of Somerset aud Northumberland 
3 ’ildlbrd, Lord Dudley. Lady Jane Grey. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

MARY. 

Yorn 1516. Died December 1, 1558. Regan to reign July 16, 15:13. Reigned 

5 years. 

When persecuting zeal maile royal sport 
With cyal innocence m Mary s court. 

Then Bonner, hlylhe as stiepln ril at a wake, 

Enjoy'd the show, and danced about the stake- — Cnwper. 

I. (A.D. 1553.) Upon the death of Edward, two candi 
dates put in their pretensions to the crown ; Mary, Henry’s 
daughter by Catharine of Arragon, relying on the justice of 
her cause; and lady .fane (irey, being nominated in the 
late young king’s will, and upon the support ol the duke of 
Northumberland, her father-in law. Mary was strongly bi- 
sroied to the popish superstitions, having been bred up among 
chutchmen, and having been even taught to prefer martyr¬ 
dom to a denial of her belief. 2. As she had lived in conti¬ 
nual restraint, she was reserved and gloomy ; she had, even 
during the life of her father, the resolution to maintain her 
sentiments, and refused to comply with his new institutions. 
Her zeal had rendered her furious ; and she was not only 
blindly attached to her religious opinions, but even to the 
popish clergy who maintained them. 3. On the other hand, 
June Cre) was strongly attached to the reformers; and, 
though yet but sixteen, her judgment had attained to such 
2 degree of maturity as few have been found to possess. 
All histoiians agree that the solidity of her understanding 
hid roveu by continual application, rendered her the wonder 
of her age, Jane, who was in a great measure ignorant of 














174 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


all the transactions in her favour, was struck with equal 
orief ami surprise when she received intelligence of them- 
She shed a flood of tears, appeared inconsolable, and it was 
not without the utmost difficulty that she yielded to the en¬ 
treaties of Northumberland, and the duke her father. 4 
Orders were given also for proclaiming her throughout the 
kingdom ; but these were but very remissly obeyed. When 
he was proclaimed in the city, the people heard her acces¬ 
sion made public without any signs of pleasure; no applause 
ensued, and some even expressed their scorn and coil 
tempt. 

5. In the mean time, Mary, who had retired, upon the 
news of the king’s death, to Kenning Hall, in Norfolk, sent 
circular letters to all the great towns and nobility in the 
kingdom, reminding them of her right, and commanding 
them to proclaim her without delay. Her claims soon be¬ 
came irresistible ; in a little time she found herself at the 
head of forty thousand men ; while the few who attended 
Northumberland continued irresolute, and he even feared to 
lead them to the encounter. 

6. Lady Jane, thus finding that all was lost, resigned her 
royalty, which she had held but ten days, with marks of 
real satisfaction, and retired with her mother to their own 
habitation. Northumberland, also, who found his affairs 
desperate, and that it was impossible to stem the tide of po¬ 
pular opposition; attempted to quit the kingdom ; but he was 
prevented by the band of pensioner guards, who informeu 
him that he must stay to justify their conduct in being leu 
out against their lawful sovereign. Thus circumvented or. 
all sides, he delivered himself up to Mary, and was soon af¬ 
terwards executed in a summary way. Sentence was also 
pronounced against lady Jane and lord Guildford, but with¬ 
out any intention for the present of putting it into execution. 

7. Mary now entered London, and with very little effu¬ 
sion of blood saw herself joyfully proclaimed, and peaceably 
settled on the throne. This was a flattering prospect ; but 
soon the pleasing phantom was dissolved. Mary was mo¬ 
rose, and a bigot; she was resolved to give back their for¬ 
mer power to the clergy ; and thus once more to involve the 
kingdom in ail the horrors from which it had just emerged- 
Gardiner, Tonstal, Day, Heath, and Vesey, who had beeo 
confined or suffered losses, for their catholic opinions, dur¬ 
ing the late reign, were taken from prison reinstated in their 
sees, and their former sentences repealed. 


MARY. 


175 

8. A parliament, which the queen called soon after, seem¬ 
ed willing to concur in all her measures ; they at one blow 
repealed all the statutes, with regard to religion, which had 
passed during the reign of her predecessors ; so that the na¬ 
tional religion was again placed on the same footing on which 
it stood in the early part of the reign of Henry the Eighth. 

9. While religion was thus returning to its primitive 
abuses, the queen’s ministers, who were willing to strengthen 
her power by a catholic alliance, had been for some time 
looking out for a proper consort ; and they at length chose 
Philip, prince of Spain, son to the celebrated Charles the 
Fifth. In order to avoid any disagreeable remonstrance 
from the people, the articles of marriage were drawn as fa¬ 
vourable as possible to the interest and honour of England ; 
and this in some measure stilled the clamours that had already 
been begun against it. 

10. '1’he discontents of the people rose to such a pitch, 
that an insurrection, headed by sir Thomas Wyat, sue 
ceeded ; but Wyat, being made prisoner, was condemned 
and executed, with some of his adherents. But what ex¬ 
cited the compassion of the people most of ail, was the 
execution of lady Jane Grey, and her husband, lord Guild¬ 
ford Dudley, who were involved in the punishment, though 
not in the guilt of this insurrection. 11. Two days after 
Wyat was apprehended, lady Jane and her husband were 
ordered to prepare for death. Lady Jane, who had long 
Defore seen the threatening blow, was no way surprised a 
the message, but bore it with heroic resolution ; and being 
informed that she had three days to prepare, she seemed 
displeased at so long a delay. 12. On the day of her exe¬ 
cution her husband desired permission to see her; but this 
she refused, as she knew the parting would be too tender 
for her fortitude to withstand. The place at first designed 
for their execution was without the Tower: but their youth, 
beauty, and innocence being likely to raise an insurrection 
among the people, orders were given that they should he 
executed within the verge of the Tower. 13. Lord Dudley 
was the first that suffered ; and while the lady Jane was 
conducting to the place of execution, the officers of the 
Lower met her, bearing along the headless body of her 
husband streaming with Mood, in order to be interred in 
the Tower chapel. She looked on the corpse lor some time 
without any emotion: and then, with a sigh, des'reti them 


17 6 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 



Deith of L»dy Jane Grey. 


to proceed. 14. On the scaffold she made a speech, in 
which she alleged that her offence was not the having laic 
ner hand upon the crown, but the not rejecting it with suf¬ 
ficient constancy; that she had less erred through ambition 
than filial obedience; and she willingly accepted death as 
the only atonement she could make to the injured state; 
and was ready by her punishment to show, that innocence 
is no plea in excuse for deeds that tend to. injure the 
community. After speaking to this effect, she caused her¬ 
self to be disrobed by her women, and with a steady serene 
countenance submitted to the executioner. 

15. At the head of those who drove these violent mea¬ 
sures forward were Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, and 
cardinal Pole, who was now returned from Italy. Pole, 
who was nearly allied by birth to the royal family, had 
always conscientiously adhered to the catholic religion, and 
had incurred Henry’s displeasure, not only by refusing to 
assent to his measures, but by writing against him. 16. It 
was fer this adherence that he was cherished by the pope, 
and now sent over to England as legate from the holy see. 
Gardiner was a man of a very different character; his chief 
aim was to please the reigning prince, and he had shown 
already manv instances of his prudent conformity. 
























































































MARY. 


177 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What were the pretensions of the two candidates for the crown f 
4- what was the character of JVJ-.ry ? 

3. What is said of lady Jane Grey ? 

4. In what manner was her proclamation received? 

5. flow did Mary act, and what was her success ? 

6. What was the fate of the duke of Northumberland? 

>. What was Mary’s conduct after her accession? 

8. Did the parliament concur m her religious views? 

? n![ iat P* an was res °Ived on to strengthen the catholic ttower ? 

11. \V hat was the fate of lady Jane Grey and her hushand ? 

"14 Mention the circumstances that attended their execution. 

]0 16. Who were the instigators of those violent measures ? 


SECTION II. 

Curst superstition which deludes the mind 
And makes it to the tender feelings blind. — Anon. 

1. (A. D. 1554.) A persecution, therefore, began by 
the martyrdom of Hooper, bishop of Gloucester, and Rogers, 
prebendary of St. Paul’s. They were examined by com¬ 
missioners appointed by the queen, with the chancellor at 
the head of them. Saunders and Taylor, tw.o other clergy¬ 
men, whose zeal had been distinguished in carrying on the 
reformation, were the next that suffered. 

2. Bonner, bishop of London, bloated at once with rage 
and luxury, let loose his vengeance without restraint, and 
seemed to take a pleasure in the pains of the unhappy suf¬ 
ferers ; while the queen, by her letters, exhorted him to 
pursue the pious work without pity or interruption. Soon 
after, in obedience to her commands, Ridley, bishop of 
London, and the venerable Latimer, bishop of Worcester, 
were condemned together. 3. Ridley had been one of the 
ablest champions for the reformation ; his piety, learning, 
and solidity of judgment were admired by his friends and 
dreaded by his enemies. The night before his execution, 
he invited the mayor of Oxford and his wife to see him : 
and, when he beheld them melted into tears, he himself 
appeared quite unmoved, inwardly supported and comforted 
in that hour of agony. When he was brought to the stake 
to be burnt, he found his old friend Latimer there before 
him. 4. Of all the prelates of that age, Latimer was the 
most remarkable for his unaffected piety, and the simplicity 
of his manners. He had never learnt to flatter in courts: 
and his open rebuke was dreaded by all the great, who at 
that time too much deserved it. 5. His sermons, which 



178 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


remain 10 this 'lav, show tha 1 he had much learning and 
much wit; ami there is an air of sincerity running ‘hrough 
them, not to he found elsewhere. When Ridlev began to 
comfort his ancient friend, Latimer was as ready, on his 
part, to return the kind office : “ Be of good cheer, brother, 
cried he; “ we shall this day kindle such a torcli in Eng¬ 
land, as, l trust in God, shall never be extinguished.” 6. A. 
furious bigot ascended to preach to them and the people, 
while the fire was preparing; and Ridley gave a most 
serious attention to his discourse. No way distracted by 
the preparations about him, he heard him to the last, and 
then told him he was ready to answer all he had preached 
upon, if he were permitted a short indulgence ; but this was 
refused him. At length fire was set (o the pile : Latimer 
was soon out of pain : but Ridley continued to suffer much 
longer, his legs being consumed before the fire reached iiis 

_ 7 o o 

vitals. 

7. Cranmer’s death followed soon after, and struck the 
whole nation with horror. His love of life had formerly 
prevailed. In an unguarded moment he was induced to 
sign a paper condemning the reformation ; and now his 
enemies, as we are told of the devil, after having rendered 
him completely wretched, resolved to destroy him. 

8. Being led to the stake, and the fire beginning to he 

kindled round him, he stretched forth his right hand, and 
• • • • ' * v — # 
held it in the flames till it was consumed, while he fre¬ 
quently cried out, in the midst of his sufferings, “ That 
unworthy hand !” at the same time exhibiting no appearance 
of pain or disorder. When the fire attacked his body, he 
seemed to be quite insensible to his tortures : his mind was 
wholly occupied upon the hopes of a future reward. After 
his body was destroyed, his heart was found entire ; an 
emblem of the constancy with which he suffered. 

9 It was computed that, during this persecution, two 
hundred and seventy-seven persons suffered by fire, besides 
those punished by imprisonment, fines, and confiscations. 
Among those who suffered by fire, were rive bishops, 
twenty-one clergymen, eight lay gentlemen, eighty-four 
tradesmen, one hundred husbandmen, fifty-five women, and 
four children. All this was terrible; and yet the temporal 
aifairs of the kingdom did not seem to be more successful. 

10. (A. D. 1557.) . Calais, that had now for above two 
hundred years been in possession of the English, was 
attacked, and oy a sudden and unexpected assault, being 


MARY. 


179 


blockaded up on every side, was obliged to capitulate : so 
thai in less than eight days, the duke of Guise recovered 
a city that had been in possession of the English since the 
time of Edward the Third, who had spent eleven months 
in besieging it. This loss tilled the whole kingdom with 
murmurs, and the queen with despair; she was heard to 
say, that, when dead, the name of Calais would be found 
engraven upon her heart. 

1 l. These complicated evils, a murmuring people, an in¬ 
creasing heresy, a disdainful husband, and an unsuccessful 
war, made dreadful depredations on Mary’s constitution. 
She began to appear consumptive, and this rendered her 
mine still more morose and bigoted. The people now, 
therefore, began to turn their thoughts to her successor ; 
and the princess Elizabeth came into a greater degree of 
consideration than before. 12. Marv had been lonff in a 
very declining state of health; and having mistaken the 
nature of her disease, she made use of an improper regi¬ 
men, which had increased her disorder. Every reflection 
now tormented her. The consciousness of beinjr hated bv 
her subjects, and the prospect of Elizabeth’s succession, 
whom she hated, preyed upon her mind, and threw her into 
a lingering fever, of which she died, after a short and un¬ 
fortunate reign of five years, four months, and eleven days, 
in the forty-third year of her age. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. Who were the first in this reign who suffered martyrdom for their re 
liginn ? 

2 Who were the principal actors in this persecution? 

3, 4. Describe the behaviour and character of Ridley and Latimer. 

6. What words did Latimer make use of at the slake to his friend and 
fellow-sufferer l 

b What is said of the character and death of Cranmer? 

9 How many persons are said to have oeen burnt on account of their re¬ 
ligious tenets ? 

10 Bv what means was Calais obliged to capitulate ? 

11 What hastened Mary’s death ? 

12. llow long did she reign ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS 


Popes. AD. 

ulitis III. 1550 

Man el'us 11. 1555 

Paul IV. 1555 

Emperor of Germany. 
Charles V. 1519 

Emperors of the Turks. 
Soli man 11.1520 


King of France. 

A.D. 

Henry II. 1547 

King of Spain. 
Philip 11. 1555 

King of Portugal. 
John III.. 1521 


rrmg oj Denmark. 

AD, 

Frederic II. 1549 

King of Sweden 
Gustavus Vasa... 1522 

Queen oj Scotland 
Mary. 1542 















180 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Archbishop Cranmer; bishops Riuiey, Hooper, Latimer, Ferres, Roffers 
Saunders, Tavlor, and many others of the clergy who suffered l<*r tho:r re. 
]iff <>n Cardinal Pole, bishops Gardiner, Bonner, Thiriby, &c. who were 
fiety supporters of the papal power* J/jrd Stafford. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

ELIZABETH. 

Horn 1533 Died March 24, i<303. Began to reign November 7, 1558. Reigned 

44j years. 

SECTION I. 

1. (A. D. 1558.) Nothing could exceed the joy that was 
diffused among the people upon the accession ol' Elizabeth, 
who now came to the throne without any opposition. 

This favourite of the people; from the beginning, resolved 
upon reforming the church, even while she was held in the 
constraints of a prison; and now, upon coming to the 
crown, she immediately set about it. A parliament soon 
after completed what the prerogative had begun ; act aftei 
act was passed in favour of the reformation ; and in a singk 
session the form of religion was established as we at preseni 
have the happiness to enjoy it. 

2. A state of permanent felicity is not to be expected 
here ; and Mary Stuart, commonly called Mary queen of 
Scots, was the first person that excited the fears or the re 
sentment of Elizabeth. Henry the Seventh had married 
his eldest daughter, Margaret, to James, king of Scotland, 
who dying, left no issue that came to maturity except Mary 


* “The common net at that time for catching of r.rotestants was the rca' 
presence, and this net was used to catch the prioress Elisabeth; lor boing 
asked one time, what she thought of the words of God, this is my body 
whether she thought it the true body of Christ that wcc in the sacra 
It is said, that alter some pausing, she thus answered:— 

Christ was the word that spake it. 

He took the bread and brake it, 

And what that word did make it. 

That I believe and lake it- 

Which, though M may seem hut a slight expression, yet hath it more soltdnea 1 
than at first sight appears, at least it served her tarn at that time to escaut 
the net, which hv direct answer she could not have done ” 




ELIZABETH. 


181 

of'b. rwards surnamed Mary queen of Scots. 3. At a very 
carry age, this princess, being possessed of everv accom¬ 
plishment of person and mind, was married to Francis, the 
dauphin of France, who, dying, left her a widow at the age 
of nineteen. Upon tiie death of Francis, Mary, the widow, 
{till seemed disposed to keep up the title ; but, finding her¬ 
self exposed to the persecutions of the dowager-queen, who 
now began to take the lead in France, she returned home to 
Scot/tutu. where she found the people strongly impressed 
with T.e g.oomy enthusiasm of the times. 4. A difference 
of religion between the sovereign and the people is ever 
productive of had effects ; since it is apt to produce con¬ 
tempt on the one side, and jealousy on the other. Mary 
could not avoid regarding the sour manners of the reforming 
clergy, who now bore the sway among the Scots, with a 
mixture of ridicule and hatred ; while they, on the other 
hand, cotdd not look tamely on gayeties and levities which 
she introduced among them, without abhorrence and resent¬ 
ment. The jealousy thus excited began every day to grow 
stronger; the clergy only waited for some indiscretion in 
the queen to fly out into open opposition ; and her impru¬ 
dence but too soon gave them sufficient opportunity. 

5. Mary, upon her return, had married the earl of Darn- 
ley ; but having been dazzled by the pleasing exterior of her 
new lover, she had entirely forgotten to look to the accom¬ 
plishments of his mind. Darn ley was but a weak and igno¬ 
rant man ; violent, yet variable ii. his enterprises ; insolent, 
yet credulous, and easily governed by flatterers. She soon, 
therefore, began to convert her admiration into disgust: 
and Dainley, enraged at her increasing coldness, pointed his 
vengeance against every person he supposed the cause of 
this change in her sentiments and behaviour. 

6. There was then in the court one David Rizzio, the 
son of a musician at Turin, himself a musician, whom Mary 
took into her confidence. She consulted him on all occa¬ 
sions ; no favours could be obtained but by his intercession; 
and al. suitors were first obliged to gain Rizzio to their 
interests by presents or by flattery. 7. It was easy to 
persuade a man of Darnley’s jealous and uxorious temper 
that Rizzio was the person who had estranged the queen's 
affections from him : and a surmise once conceived became 
to him a certainty. He soon, therefore, consulted with 
some lords of his party, who accompanying him into the 
queen’s apartments, where Rizzio then was, they dragged 


182 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


him Id to the antechamber, where he w r as despatched w r ith 
fifty-six wounds ; the unhappy princess continuing l»er la¬ 
mentations while they were perpetrating their horrid crime. 

8. Beiiiff informed, however, of his fate, Mary at once dried 
her tears, and said she would weep no more, for she would 
now think of revenge. She, therefore, concealed her resent¬ 
ment, and so far imposed upon Darnley, her husband, that 
he put himself under her protection, and soon after attended 
her to Edinburgh, where he was told the place would be 
favourable to his health. 

9. Mary lived in the palace of Holyrood-house ; but as 
the situation of that place was low, and the concourse of 
people about the court necessarily attended with noise, 
which might disturb him in his present infirm state, she 
fitted up an apartment for him in a solitary house at some 
distance, called the Kirk of Field. Mary there gave him 
marks of kindness and attachment; she conversed cordially 
with him, and she lay some nights in a room under his 

10. It was on the 9th of February that she told him she 
would pass that night in the palace, because the marriage of 
one of her servants was to be there celebrated in her pre¬ 
sence. But dreadful consequences ensued. About two 
o'clock in the morning, the whole city was much alarmed 
at hearing a great noise ; the house in which Darnley lay 
was blown up with gunpowder. His dead body w-as found 
at some distance in a neighbouring field, but without any 
marks of violence or contusion. No doubt could be enter¬ 
tained but that Darnley w r as murdered, and the general sus¬ 
picion fell upon Bothwell, a person lately taken into Mary’s 
tavour, as the perpetrator. 

11. One crime led on to another ; Bothw’ell, though ac¬ 
cused of being stained with the husband’s blood, though 
universally odious to the people, had the confidence, while 
Mary was on her way to Stirling, on a visit to her son, to 
seize her at the head of a body of eight hundred horse, and 
to carry her to Dunbar, where he forced her to yield to his 
purposes. 12. It was then thought by the people that the 
measure of his crimes was complete; and that he who was 
supposed to kill the queen’s husband and to have pos¬ 
sessed himself of her person, could expect no mercy : but 
they were astonished upon finding, instead of disgrace, that 
Bothwell was taken into more than former favour; and to 
crown ali, that he was married to Mary, having divorced 
his own wife to procure his union. 


ELIZABETH. 


183 


13. This was a fatal alliance to Mary; and the people 
Were now wound up, by the complication of her guilt, to 
p*»y very little deference to her authority. An association 
was formed that took Mary prisoner, and sent her into con¬ 
finement to the castle of Lochlevin, situated in a lake of that 
name, where she suffered alL the severities of an unkind 
keeper, an upbraiding conscience, with a feeling heart. 

14. The calamities of the great, even though justly de¬ 
served, seldom fail of creating pity, and procuring friends. 
M ary, by her charms and promises, had engaged a young 
gentleman, whose name was George Douglas, to assist her 
in escaping from the place wherein she was confined; and 
this he effected by conveying her in disguise in a small boat, 
rowed by himself, ashore. It was now that, the news of her 
enlargement being spread abroad, all the loyalty of the peo¬ 
ple seemed to revive once more, ami in a few days she saw 
herself at the head of six thousand men. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What were the first acts of Elizabeth in favour of? 

2. Who was the first person that excited her resentment? 

From whom was Mary queen of Scots descended ? 

3. To vvtiom was she first married ? 

4. Why is the difference of religion between the sovereign and tho peopTu 

apt to produce had effects ? 

5 Describe the character of the earl of Darnley. 

6 Who was David Kizzio 1 

7 What was the fate of Kizzio? 

8. On what diil Mary determine in consequence? 

9 How did she affect to treat fier husband ? 

10. Relate the circumstances of the earl of Daraley’s death 

13. Where was Mary confined ? 

14. By what means did she escape? 


SECTION II. 

But malice, envy, cruelty and spleen, 

To death doom’d bcolia b dear devoted queen. — Macaonala. 


1. (A. D. 1568.) A battle was fought at Langside, near 
Glasgow, which was entirely decisive against the queen of 
Scots ; and now, being totally ruined, sue fled southward 
from the field of battle with great precipitation* and came 
with a few attendants to the borders of England, where sue 
hoped for protection from Elizabeth, who, instead of pro¬ 
tecting, ordered her to he put in confinement, yet treated 
her with all proper marks of respect. 2. She was accord- 




1B4 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


ingly sent to Tutbury-castle, in the county of Stafford, and 
put into the custody of the earl of Shrewsbury; where she 
had hopes given her of one day coming into favour, and 
that, unless her own obstinacy prevented, an accommodation 
might at last take place. 

3. The duke of Norfolk was the only peer who enjoyed 
the highest title of nobility in England : and the qualities 
of his mind were correspondent to his high station. Bene¬ 
ficent, affable, and generous, he had acquired the affections 
of the people ; and yet, from his moderation, he had never 
alarmed the jealousy of the sovereign. He was at this 
time a widower, and being of a suitable age to espouse the 
queen of Scots, her own attractions, as well as his interest, 
made him desirous of the match. 4. Elizabeth, however, 
dreaded such an union, and the duke was soon after made 
prisoner, and sent to the Tower. Upon his releasement 
from thence, new projects were set on foot by the enemies 
of the queen and the reformed religion, secretly fomented 
by Rodolphi, an instrument of the court of Rome, and the 
bishop of Ross, Mary’s minister in England. 5. It was 
concerted by them that Norfolk should renew his designs 
upon Mary, and raise her’to the throne, to which it is pro¬ 
bable he was prompted by passion as well as interest; and 
this nobleman entering into their schemes, he, from being at 
first only ambitious, now became criminal. His servants 
were brought to make a full confession of their master’s 
guilt; and the bishop of Ross, soon after finding the whole 
discovered, did not scruple to confirm their testimony, 6. 
The duke was instantly committed to the Tower, and or¬ 
dered to prepare for his trial. A jury of twenty-five peers 
unanimously passed sentence upon him; and the queen, 
four months after, reluctantly signed the warrant for his 
execution. He died with great calmness and constancy ; 
and, though he cleared himself of any disloyal intentions 
against the queen’s authority, he acknowledged the justice 
of the sentence by which he suffered. 

7. These conspiracies served to prepare the way for 
Mary’s ruin, whose greatest misfortunes proceeded rather 
from the violence of her friends than the malignity of her 
enemies Elizabeth's ministers had long been waiting for 
some signal instance of the captive queen’s enmity, which 
they could easily convert into treason ; and this was not 
long wanting. 8. About this time (A.U. 1586), one Jobn 
Ballard, a popish priest, who had been bred in the English 


ELIZABETH. 


186 


seminary at Rheims, resolved to compass the deatli of tho 
Queen, whom he considered as the enemy of iiis religion ; 
and with that gloomy resolution came over to England in 
the disguise of a soldier, with the assumed name of captain 
Fortescue. He bent his endeavours to bring about at once 
the projeci of an assassination, an insurrection, anil an 
invasion. 9. The first person he addressed himself to was 
Anthony Babin''‘ton, of Dethick, in the county of Derby, a 
young gentleman of good family, and possessed of a very 
plentiful fortune. This person had been long remarkable 
for his zeal in the catholic cause, and in particular for his 
attachment to the captive queen. He, therefore, came 
readily into the plot, and procured the concurrence and 
assistance of some other associates in this dangerous under¬ 
taking. 10. The next step was to apprize Mary of the 
conspiracy formed in her favour; and this they etfected 
by conveying their letters to her by the means of a brewer 
that supplied the family with ale, through a chink in the 
wall of her anartment. In these, Babington informed her 
of a design laid for a foreign invasion, the plan of an insur¬ 
rection at home, the scheme for her delivery, and the 
conspiracy for assassinating the usurper, by six noble 
gentlemen, as he termed them, all of them his private 
friends, who from the zeal which they bore the catholic 
cause, and her majesty’s service, would undertake the 
tragical execution. 11. To these Mary replied, that she 
approved highly of the design ; that the gentlemen might 
expect all the rewards which it should ever be in her power 
to confer ; and that the death of Elizabeth was a necessary 
circumstance, previous to any further attempts, either for 
ner delivery or the intended insurrection. 

12. 'Fhe plot being thus ripe for execution, and the 
evidence against the conspirators incontestable, Walsing- 
ham. who was privately informed of all, resolved to suspend 
their punishment no longer. A warrant was accordingly 
issued out for the apprehension of Babington and the 
rest of the conspirator?, who covered themselves with 
various disguises, and endeavoured to keep themselves 
concealed. But they were soon discovered, thrown into 
prison, and brought to trial. In their examination they 
contradicted each other, and the leaders were obliged to 
make a full confession of the truth. Fourteen were con¬ 
demned and executed; seven of whom died acknowledging 
their crime. 

Q 2 


186 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


13. The execution of these wretched men only prepared 
the way for one of still greater importance, in which a cap¬ 
tive queen was to submit to the unjust decision ol those who 
had no right, but that of power, to condemn her. Accord¬ 
ingly a commission was issued to forty peers, with L re 
judges, or the major part of them, to try and pass sentence 
upon Mary, daughter and heir of James the Fifth, kin^ of 
Scotland, commonly called queen of Scots, and dowager of 
France. 14. Thirty-six of these commissioners arriving at 
the castle of Fotheringay on the 11th of November, 1586, 
presented her with a letter from Elizabeth, commanding her 
to submit to a trial for a late conspiracy. The principal 
charge against her was urged by serjeant Gaudy, who ac¬ 
cused her with knowing, approving, and consenting to 
Babington’s conspiracy. This charge was supported by 
Babington’s confession, and by the copies which were 
taken of their correspondence, in which her approbation of 
the queen’s murder was expressly declared. 

15. Whatever might have been this queen’s offences, if 
is certain that her treatment was very severe. She desired 
to be put in possession of such notes as she had taken pre¬ 
paratory to her trial; but this was refused her. She de¬ 
manded a copy of her protest; but her request was not 
complied with. She even required an advocate to plead 
her cause against so many learned lawyers as had under¬ 
taken to urge her accusations ; but all her demands were 
rejected, and after an adjournment of some days, sentence 
of death was pronounced against her in the Star Chamber 
in Westminster, all the commissioners except two being 
present. 

Independent of the affairs of Mary queen of Scots, the 
contents of this section are barren of information. It must 
not, however, be supposed, that a period of eighteen years of 
the reign of Elizabeth aflbrded no matter worthy of the 
notice of the historian ; and we shall therefore endeavour to 
supply the deficiency by the following brief chronological 
memoranda :—On St. Bartholomew’s day, 1572, a dreadful 
massacre of' the Protestants took place in France; a circum¬ 
stance which proved very detrimental to the Scottish queen, 
as many of her adherents, who were Protestants, dreaded 
her attachment to a religion that allowed its votaries to em¬ 
ploy such abominable measures. In 1573, Elizabeth found 
means, by economy, w ithout imposing any additional burdens 
on her subjects, to discharge, with interest, not onty all the 


ELIZABETH-. 


187 


debts she had int erred in her reign, but those of Edward Vi. 
hei brother, and cT her sister Mary. In 1574, so great a 
dearth prevailed in England, that wheat sold for six shillings 
a bushel. In 1577, pocket-watches were first brought into 
England from Germany. In 1579, a proclamation \vs.a 
issued, prohibiting the enlarging of the city of London ; to 
effect which, it was ordered that no new houses should be 
1 uilt within three miles of the gates of the city. In the 
same year the Turkey Company was established. In 1580, 
the use of coaches was first introduced into England by the 
earl of Arundel. Before that time the queen, on public occa¬ 
sions, rode on horseback behind her chamberlain. 

In the year 1580, also, Francis Drake, the first English¬ 
man who circumnavigated the globe, returned from his 
voyage. He brought home with him immense treasures, 
which he had taken from the Spaniards; and many of the 
English courtiers, dreading the Spanish power, advised Eli¬ 
zabeth to discountenance the gallant adventurer. But the 
queen, who admired valour, and was allured by the prospect 
of sharing the booty, con feared on him the honour of knight¬ 
hood, and accepted a banquet from him at Deptford, on board 
the ship which had achieved so memorable a voyage. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. Where did Mary fly after her defeat at Langside? 

2. Where was she confined ? 

3. Describe the character of the duke of Norfolk. 

4. Of what was he desirous ? 

5. What were the designs of the duke of Norfolk? 

6. What were the consequences ? 

8. What conspiracy was now formed in Mary’s favour? 

10. By what means was Mary informed of it ? 

12. What was the fate of the conspirators? 

14. What was the principal charge alleged against Mary ? 

15. What favours were refused her previous to her sentence? 



189 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


SECTION III. 

Dojocted pity by her side, 

Her soul-subduing voice applied. — Collins. 

1. (A. D. 1586.) Whether Elizabeth was really sincere 
in her apparent reluctance to execute Mary, is a question 
which, though usually given against her, I will not take 
upon me to determine. Certainly there were great arts 
used by her courtiers to incline her to the side of severity; 
as they had every thing to fear from the resentment of 
Mary in case she ever succeeded to the throne. 2. Accord¬ 
ingly the kingdom was now filled with rumours of plots, 
treasons, and insurrections ; and the queen was continually 
kept in alarm by fictitious dangers. She, therefore, appeared 
to be in great terror and perplexity; she was observed to 
sit much alone, and mutter to herself half sentences, im¬ 
porting the dilficulty and distress to which she was reduced. 
3. In this situation she one day called her secretary, Da¬ 
vison, whom she order to draw out secretly the warrant 
for Mary’s execution, informing him that she intended keep¬ 
ing it by her, in case any attempt should be made for the 
delivery of that princess. She signed the warrant, and 
then commanded it to be carried to the chancellor, to have 
the seal affixed to it. 4. Next morning, however, she sent 
two gentlemen successively to desire that Davison would 
not go to the chancellor until she should see him: but 
Davison telling her that the warrant had been already 
sealed, she seemed displeased at his precipitation. Davison, 
who probably wished himself to see the sentence executed, 
laid the affair before the council, who unanimously resolved 
that the warrant should he immediately put in execution ; 
and promised to justify Davison to the queen. 5. Accord¬ 
ingly, the fatal instrument was delivered to Beale, who 
summoned the nohlemen to whom it was directed ; namely, 
die earls of Shrewsbury, Derby, Kent, and Cumberland, and 
these together set out for Fotheringav-castle, accompanied 
by two executioners, to despatch their bloody commission. 

6. Mary heard of the arrival of her executioners, who 
ordered her to prepare for death at eight o’clock the next 
morning. Early on the fatal morning she dressed herself 
in a rich habit of silk and velvet, the only one which she 
had reserved for this solemn occasion. Thomas Andrews, 
the under-sheriff of the county, then entering the room, he 
informed her that the hour was come, and that he rn ist 


ELIZABETH. 


189 


attend ner to the place of execution. 7. She replied that 
she was ready, and bidding her servants farewell, she pro¬ 
ceeded, supported by two of her guards, and followed the 
sheriff with a serene composed aspect, with a long veil of 
linen on her head, and in her hand a crucifix of ivory. 

8. She then passed into another hall, the noblemen and 
the sheriff going before, and JYlelvil, her master of the 
household, bearing up her train, where was a scaffold 
erected, and covered with black. As soon as she was 
seated, Beale began to read the warrant for her execution. 
Then Fletcher, dean of Peterborough, standing without the 
rails, repeated a long exhortation, which she desired him to 
forbear, as she was firmly resolved to die in the catholic 
religion. The room was crowded with spectators, who 
beheld her with pity and distress ; while her beauty, though 
dimmed by age and affliction, gleamed through her sufferings, 
and w'as still remarkable in this fatal moment. 9. The two 
executioners kneeling, and asking her pardon, she said she 
forgave them, and all the authors of her death, as freely as 
she hoped for forgiveness from her Maker; and then once 
more made a solemn protestation of her innocence. Her 
eyes were then covered with a linen handkerchief; and she 
laid herself down without any fear or trepidation. Then 
reciting a psalm, and repeating a pious ejaculation, her head 
was severed from her body, at two strokes, by the execu¬ 
tioners. 

10. Thus perished Mary, in the forty-fifth year of her age, 
and the nineteenth of her captivity in England. She was a 
woman of great accomplishments ; and the beauty of her 
person, the graces of her air, and charms of her conversa¬ 
tion, combined to make her one of the most amiable of 
women, and to produce a deep impression on all who had 
intercourse with her. She was ambitious and active in her 
temper, yet inclined to cheerfulness and society. She par¬ 
took sufficiently of manlike virtues to give her vigour in the 
prosecution of her purposes, without relinquishing those soft 
graces which compose the proper ornament of her sex. 
Such indeed were, on the one hand, her natural advantages 
and her acquirements, and on the other her faults, that an 
enumeration of her qualities might seem to be a panegyric, 
while an account of her conduct must, in some parts, wear 
the aspect of severe satire and invective. 

Her numerous misfortunes, the solitude of her long capti¬ 
vity, and the persecutions to which she had been exposed ou 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


190 

account of her religion, had produced in her a degree of 
bigotry in her later years; and such were the prevalent spirit 
and principles of the age, that we need not wonder il her 
zeal, her resentment, and her interest uniting, induced her to 
give consent to a design which conspirators, actuated by the 
first of these motives only, had formed against the life of 
Elizabeth. 

In contemplating the contentions of mankind, we find 
Imost ever both sides culpable; Mary, who was stained 
with crimes that deserved punishment, was put to death by a 
princess who had no just pretensions to inflict punishment 
on her equal. 

11. In the mean time, Philip, king of Spain, who had 
long meditated the destruction of England, and whose ex¬ 
tensive power gave him grounds to hope for success, now 
began to put his projects into execution. The point on 
which he rested his glory, and the perpetual object of his 
schemes, was to support the catholic religion, and exter¬ 
minate the reformation. The revolt of his subjects in the 
Netherlands still more inflamed his resentment against the 
English, as they had encouraged that insurrection, and as¬ 
sisted the revolters. He had, therefore, for some time b^en 
making preparations to attack England by a powerful in¬ 
vasion, and now every part of his vast empire resounded 
with the noise of armaments, and every art was used to 
levy supplies for that great design. 

12. The marquis of Santa Cruz, a sea-officer of great 
reputation and experience, was destined to command the fleet, 
which consisted of a hundred and thirty vessels, of a greater 
size than any that had hitherto been seen in Europe. The 
duke of Parma was to conduct the land forces, twenty thou¬ 
sand of whom were on board the fleet, and thirty-four thou¬ 
sand more were assembled in the Netherlands, ready to be 
transported into England ; no doubt was entertained of this 
fleet’s success; and it was ostentatiously styled the Invin¬ 
cible Armada. 

13. Nothing could exceed the terror and consternation 
which all ranks of people felt in England upon the news of 
this terrible armada being under sail to invade them. A 
fleet of not above thirty ships of war, and those very small 
m comparison, was all that was to oppose it at sea ; and as 
for resisting it by land, that was supposed to be impossible, 
as the Spanish army was composed of men well disciplined, 
and long inured to danger. 


ELIZABETH. 


191 


14. Although the English fleet was much inferior in num* 
her and size of shipping to that of the enemy, yet it was 
much more manageable, the dexterity and courage of the 
mariners being greatly superior. Lord Howard of Effing- 
ham, a man of great courage and capacity, as iord admiral, 
Look upon him the command of the navy. 

15. Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher, the most renowned 
seamen in Europe, served under him ; while a small squad¬ 
ron, consisting of forty vessels, English and Flemish, com¬ 
manded by lord Seymour, lay oil' Dunkirk, in order to 
intercept the duke of Parma. This was the preparation 
made by the English; while all the protestant powers in 
Europe regarded the enterprise as the critical event which 
was to decide for ever the late of their religion. 


Questions for Examination. 

2. With what rumours was the kingdom filled? 

3. What orders did Elizabeth give to her secretary? 

5. To whom was the warrant of Mary’s death delivered ? 

6, 7, 8. Relate the particulars of her execution. 

9. What was her behaviour at the fatal hour? 

11. Who now meditated the destruction of England? 
What was the chief object of his schemes ? 

12. Who were his pitncipal officers ? 

What was the amount of the Spanish forces ? 

13. What was the number of the English ship®? 

14. Who commanded them ? 

15. What other preparations were made by the English ? 


/’■ 



192 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


SECTION IV 

Destruction follows where her flap is seen. 

And haughty Spaniards stoop to Dritani’s queen. — A non 


1. (A. D. 1588.) In the mean time, while the Spanish 
armada was preparing to sail, the admiral Santa Cruz died, 
as likewise the vice-admiral Palino; and the command of 
the expedition was given to the duke de Medina Sidonia, a 
person utterly inexperienced in sea affairs ; and this, in 
some measure, served to frustrate the design. But some 
other accidents also contributed to its failure. 2. Upon 
leaving the port of Lisbon, the armada the next day met 
with a violent tempest, which sunk several of the smallest 
of their shipping, and obliged the fleet to put back into har¬ 
bour. After some time spent in refitting, they again put to 
sea ; where they took a fisherman, who gave them intelli¬ 
gence that the English fleet, hearing of tiie dispersion of 
the armada in a storm, had retired back into Plymouth har¬ 
bour, and most of the mariners were discharged. 3. From 
this false intelligence, the Spanish admiral, instead of going 
directly to the coast of Flanders, to take in the troops 
stationed there, as he had been instructed, resolved to sail for 
Plymouth, and destroy the shipping laid up in that harbour 
But Effingham, the English admiral, was very well prepared 
to receive them ; he was just got out of port when he saw 
the Spanish armada coming full sail towards him, disposed 
in the form of a half moon, and stretching seven miles from 
one extremity to the other. 4. However, the English 
admiral, seconded by Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher 
attacked the armada at a distance, pouring in their broad¬ 
sides with admirable dexterity. They did not choose to en 
gage the enemy more closely, because they were greatly 
inferior in the number of ships, guns, and weight of metal; 
nor could they pretend to board such lofty ships without 
manifest disadvantage. However two Spanish galleons 
were disabled and taken. 5. As the armada advanced up 
the channel, the English still followed, and infested their 
rear; and their fleet continually increasing from different 
ports, they soon found themselves in a capacity to attack 
the Spanish fleet more nearly, and accordingly fell upon 
them while they were as yet taking shelter in the port of 
Calais. 6. To increase their confusion, Howard took 
eight of his smaller ships, and filling them with combustible 
materials, sent them, as if they had been fire-ships, one 


El IZaBETH. 


193 

after the other, into the midst of the enemy. The Spaniards 
taking them for what they seemed to be, immediately took 
flight, in great disorder; while the English, profiting by 
their panic, took or destroyed about twelve of the enemy. 

7. This was a fatal blow to Spain; the duke de Medina 
Sidonia, being thus driven to the coast of Zealand, held a 
council of war, in why.h it was resolved, that, as their am¬ 
munition began to fail, as their ships had received great 
damage, and the duke of Parma had refused to venture his 
army under their protection, they should return to Spain 
by sailing round the Orkneys, as the winds were contrary 
to his passage directly back. 8. Accordingly they pro 
ceeded northward, and were followed by the English fleet 
as far as Flamborough-head, where they were terribly shat¬ 
tered by a storm. Seventeen of the ships, having five 
thousand men on board, were afterwards cast away on the 
Western isles, and the coast of Ireland. Of the whole 
armada, three-and-fifty ships only returned to Spain, in a 
miserable condition ; and the seamen, as well as soldiers, 
who remained, only served by their accounts to intimidate 
their countrymen from attempting to renew so dangerous an 
expedition. 

9. From being invaded, the English, in their turn, attacked 
the Spaniards. Of those who made the most signal figure 
in the depredations upon Spain, was the young earl of Essex, 
a nobleman of great bravery, generosity, and genius; and 
fitted not only for the foremost ranks in war by his valour, 
but to conduct the intrigues of a court by his eloquence and 
address. 10. In all the masques which were then performed, 
the earl and Elizabeth were generally coupled as partners; 
and although she was almost sixty, and he not half so old, 
yet her vanity overlooked the disparity ; the world told her 
she was young, and she herself was willing to think so. 
This young earl’s interest in the queen’s affections, as may 
naturally be supposed, promoted his interests in the state ; 
and he conducted all things at his discretion. 11. But, 
young and inexperienced as he was, he at length began to 
fancy that the popularity he possessed, and the flatteries he 
received, were given to his merits, and not to his favour 
In a debate before the queen, between him and Burleigh, 
about the choice of a governor for Ireland, he was so heated 
in the arr ument, that he entirely forgot both the rules and 
duties of civility. 12. He turned his back on the queen in 
a contemptuous manner, which so provoked her resentment, 

R 


104 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


that she instantly gave him a box on the ear. Instead of 
recollet ting himself, and making the submission due to her 
sex and station, lie clapped his hand to his sword, and swore 
he would not bear such usage even from her father. This 
offeme, though very great, was overlooked by the queen , 
her partiality was so prevalent, that she reinstated him In 
her former favour, and her kindness seemed to have acquired 
ew force from that short interruption of anger and resent- 
ent. 13. The death also of his rival. Lord Burleigh., 
which happened shortly after, seemed to ccnfirrn his power. 
At that time the earl of Tyrone headed the rebellious na¬ 
tives of Ireland ; who, not yet thoroughly brought into sub 
jection by the English, took every opportunity to make 
incursions upon the more civilized inhabitants, and slew all 
they were able to overpower. 14. To subdue these was an 
employment that Essex thought worthy of his ambition: 
lior were his enemies displeased at thus removing him from 
court, where he obstructed all their private aims of prefer 
ment. But it ended in his ruin. Instead of attacking the 
enemy in their grand retreat in Ulster, he led his forces into 
the province of Munster, where he only exhausted his 
strength, and lost his opportunity against a people that sub¬ 
mitted at his approach, but took up arms when he retired. 
15. This issue of an enterprise, from which much was ex¬ 
pected, did not fail to provoke the queen most sensibly ; 
and her anger was still more heightened by the peevish and 
impatient letters wdiich he daily wrote to her and the council. 
But her resentment against him was still more justly let 
loose, when she found, that, leaving the place of his appoint¬ 
ment, and without any permission demanded or obtained, 
he returned from Ireland, to make his complaints to herself 
in person. 

10. Though Elizabeth was justly offended, yet he soon 
won upon her temper to pardon him. lie was now ordered 
to continue a prisoner in his own house till the queen’s fur- 
t\. 2 r pleasure should be known, and it is probable that the 
discretion of a few months might have reinstated him in ail 
his former employments ; but the impetuosity of his cha 
racier would not suffer him io wait for a slow redress of 
what he considered as wrongs : and the queen’s refusing his 
request to continue him in possession of a lucrative mono¬ 
poly of sweet wines, which he had long enjoyed, spurred 
him on to the most violent and guilty measures. (AT). 
IdOO.) 17 Having long built with fond credulity on his 


ELIZABETH 


195 


great popularity, lie began to hope, from the assistance of 
the giddy multitude, that revenge upon his enemies in coun¬ 
cil, which he supposed was denied him from the throne. 
IIis greatest dependence was upon the professions of the 
citizens of London, whose schemes of religion and govern¬ 
ment he appeared entirely to approve ; and while he grati¬ 
fied the puritans, by railing at the government of the church, 
nc pleased the envious, bj exposing the faults of those in 
power. 18. Among other criminal projects, the result of 
blind rage and despair, it was resolved that sir Christopher 
Blount, one of his creatures, should, with a choice detach¬ 
ment, possess himself of the palace gates ; that sir John 
Davis should seize the hall ; sir Charles Danvers the guard- 
chamber ; while Essex himself should rush in from the 
M ews, attended by a body of his partisans, into the queen’s 
presence, and entreat her to remove his and her enemies, to 
assemble a new parliament, and to correct the defects of the 
present administration. 


Questions for Examination. 

1, 2. What were the circumstances that contributed to retard the armada t 
4. Describe the gallant conduct of the English. 

7,8. What were the consequences ? 

9 What was the character of the earl of Essex ? 

12. How did he behave to the queen ? 

13. What expedition did he undertake? 

14. What was his success? 

|5, 16. In what manner did he increase the queen’s resentment? 

17. From whom did Essex expect assisiance? 

13 On what project did he afterwards resolve ? 


SECTION V. 

Raleigh, with hopes of new discoveries filed. 

And all the depths of human »vii mspned. 

Moved o'er the western world in .-earch of fume. 

Adding fresh glory to Eliz.u s name. — Ur. King 

I (A. D. 1601.) While Essex was deliberating upon 
the manner in which he should proceed, he received a pri¬ 
vate note, by which he was warned to provide lor his own 
•afety. lie now, therefore, consulted with his friends 
touching the emergency of their situation ; they were desti 
tutc of arms and ammunition, while the guards at the palace 
were doubled, so that any attack there would he fruitless. 
2. While lie and his confidants were in consultation, a per¬ 
son, probably employed by bis enemies, came in as a mes¬ 
senger from the citizens, with tenders of friendship and 




196 


HISTORY OB ENGLAND 


assistance against all his adversaries. Wild as the project 
was of raising ihe city in the present terrible conjuncture, it 
was resolved on ; but the execution ol it was delayed till 
the day following. 

8. Early in the morning of the next day, he was attended 
by his friends the earls of Rutland and Southampton, the 
lords Sandes, Parker, and Monteagle, with three hundred 
persons of distinction. The doors of Essex-house were im 
mediately locked, to prevent all strangers from entering ; and 
the earl now discovered his scheme for raising the city more 
fully to all the conspirators. In the mean time, sir Waller 
Raleigh sending a message to Ferdinando Georges, this 
officer had a conference with him in a boat on the Thames, 
and there discovered all their proceedings. 4. The earl of 
Essex, who now saw that all was to be hazarded, resolved 
to leave his house, and to sally forth to make an insurrec¬ 
tion in the city. But he had made a very wrong estimate 
in expecting that popularity alone would aid him in time of 
danger; he issued out with about two hundred followers, 
armed only with swords ; and in his passage to the city was 
joined by the earl of Bedford and lord (Tomwell. 5. As 
he passed through the streets, he cried aloud, “ For the 
queen ! for the queen ! a plot is laid for my life ;” hoping 
to engage the populace to rise ; but they had received orders 
from the mayor to keep within their houses; so that he was 
not joined by a single person. 6. In this manner, attended 
by a few of his followers, the rest having privately retired, 
he made towards the river; and, taking a boat, arrived once 
more at Essex-house, where he began to make preparations 
for his defence. But his case was too desperate for any re 
medy from valour ; wherefore, after demanding in vain for 
hostages and conditions from his besiegers, he surrendered 
at discretion, requesting only civil treatment and a fair and 
impartial hearing. 

7. Essex and Southampton were immediately carried to 
the archbishop’s palace at Lambeth, from whence they were 
the next day conveyed to the Tower, and tried by the peers 
on the nineteenth of February following. Little could be 
urged in their defence ; their guilt was too flagrant ; and 
though it deserved pity, it could not meet an acquittal. 
Essex, after condemnation, was visited by that religious 
horror which seemed to attend him in all his disgraces 
He was terrified almost to despair by the ghostly remon¬ 
strances of Ins own chaplair ; he was reconciled u his 


ELIZABETH. 


197 



Queen Elizabeth turning the deuth-warruzt of Essex. 

enemies, and made a full confession of his conspiracv 
5 . It is alleged upon this occasion, that lie had strong hopes 
of pardon from the irresolution which the queen seemed to 
discover before she signed the warrant for his execution. 
She had given him formerly a ring, which she desired him 
to send her in any emergency of this nature, and that it 
should procure his safety and protection. This ring was 
actually sent bv the countess of Nottingham, who, being a 
concealed enemy to the unfortunate earl, never delivered it; 
while Elizabeth was secretly fired at his obstinacy in mak¬ 
ing no application for mercy or forgiveness. 9. The fact 
is, she appeared herself as much an object of pity as the 
unfortunate nobleman she was induced to condemn. She 
signed the warrant for his execution : she countermanded 
it; she again resolved on his death, and again felt a new 
return of tenderness. At last she gave her consent to hie 
execution, and was never seen to enjoy one happy day more 
10. With the death of her favourite Essex, all Elizabeth's 
pleasures seemed to expire ; she afterwards went through 
the business of the state merely from habit, but her satisfac¬ 
tions were no more. Her distress was more than sufficient 
to destroy the remains of her constitution ; and her end u as 
now visibly seen to approach. Her voice soon after left 
her; she fell into a lethargic slumber, which continued some 
hours; and she expired gently, without a groan, in the 

r 2 




























HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


198 

seventieth year of her age, and the forty-fifth of her reign 
IJ. Her character differed with her circumstances ; in tlio 
beginning sfie was moderate and humble ; towards the end 
of her reign haughty and severe. Though she was possess¬ 
ed of excellent sense, yet she never had the discernment to 
discover that she wanted beauty ; and to flatter her charms 
at the age of sixty-five was the surest road to her favour and 
s tee m. 

12. But whatever were her personal defects, as a queen 
she is ever to be remembered by the English with gratitude 
It is true, indeed, that she carried her prerogative in parlia¬ 
ment to its highest pitch, so that it was tacitly allowed in 
that assembly that she was above all laws, and could make 
and unmake them at pleasure ; yet still she was so wise and 
good as seldom to exert that power which she claimed, 
and to enforce few acts of her prerogative which were not 
for the benefit of her people. 13. It is true, in like manner, 
that the English, during her reign, were put in possession 
of no new or splendid acquisitions ; but commerce was daily 
growing up among them, and the people began to find that 
the theatre of their truest conquests was to be on the bosom 
of the ocean.v A nation, which had hitherto been the object 
of every invasion, and a prey to every plunderer, now as¬ 
serted its strength in turn, and became terrible to its invad¬ 
ers. 14. The successful voyages of the Spaniards and Por¬ 
tuguese began to excite their emulation, and they planned 
several expeditions for discovering a shorter passage to the 
East Indies. The famous sir Walter Raleigh, without any 
assistance from government, colonized New England, while 
internal commerce was making equal improvements ; and 
many Flemings, persecuted in their native country, found, 
together with their arts and industry, an easy asylum in 
England. 15. Thus the whole island seemed as if roused 
from her long habits of barbarity ; arts, commerce, and le¬ 
gislation began to acquire new strength everv day ; and 
such was the state of learning at that time, that some fixed 
that period as the Augustan age of England. Sir Walter 
Raleigh and Hooker are considered as among the first im 
provers of our language. 16. Spenser and Shakspeare are 
too well known as poets to be praised here ; but, of all man¬ 
kind, Francis Bacon, lord Verulam, who flourished in this 
reio-n, deserves, as a philosopher, the highest applause ; his 
style is copious and correct, and his wit is only surpassed 
by his learning and penetration. 17. If we look through 


ELIZABETH. 


199 


history, and consider the rise of kingdoms, we shall scarcely 
hud an instance of a people becoming, in so short a time, 
wise, powerful, and happy. Liberty, it is true, still ecr.ti- 
nued to fluctuate ; Elizabeth knew her own power, and 
stretched it to the very verge of despotism; but, now that 
commerce was introduced, liberty soon after followed; for 
there never was a nation that was perfectly commercial that 
submitted lon<j to slavery. 


Questio?is for Examination. 

1 What project did Essex resolve on for raising the city ? 

3, 4, 5. How did he proceed to effect this ? 

6, 7. What was the late of Essex and Southampton? 

8 Wliat induced Essex to have hopes of pardon ? 

9 What was Elizabeth’s conduct on this occasion? 

10 DiJ Elizabeth long survive the death of her favourite ? 

11. What was her character ? 

13 What was the political condition of England at the death of Elizabeth 

14. Did any important events take place during her reign ? 

15. What was the state of learning ? and what eminent men flourished at this 

time ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS 


Popes. 

a.d. 

Paul TV. 1555 

Pius IV. 1559 

Pius V. 1505 

Gregory XIII. 157*2 

Sextos V. 1585 

Urban VII. 1590 

Gregory XIV. 1590 

Innocent IX.1591 

Clement VIII. 1592 


Ferdinand 1. 1558 

Maximilian II. 1564 

Kodolphus II. 1576 

Emperors of the Turks. 
Soliman il. 1520 


A.D. 

Selim II. 1566 

Amurath III. 1574 

Mahomet III. 1595 

Kings of France. 

Henry (I. 1547 

Francis II. 1559 

Charles IX. 1560 

Henry III. 1574 

Ilenry IV. 1589 

King of Spain. 
Philip II. 1555 

Kings of Portugal. 

Sebastian. 1557 

Henry. 1579 


Union of Spam and 
Paring d. 

A.D. 

Philip II.1580 

Philip 111. 1597 

Kings of Denmark. 

Christian IV. 1558 

Frederick II. 1559 

Kings of Sweden. 

Eric X. 1556 

John III. 1569 

Sigismund. 1592 

Queen and King oj 
Scotland. 

Mary. 1542 

James VI. 1567 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Shakspeare. Spenser. Bacon. Sir Philip Sidney. Sir Walter Raleigh * 
Sir Francis Drake. Lord Howard of Effingham. Cecil, lord Burleigh Ro¬ 
bert Dudley, earl of Leicester. Sir Martin Frobisher. Sir John Hawkma. 
&0. &c. 

* Sir Walter Raleigh is said to have attracted Elizabeth’s notice by a' 
delicate act of gallantry. When the queen, in one of her customary 
walks, hesitated about passing a miry spot, Raleigh, then a young ad- 
wc.itnrer, threw his cloak before her as a carpet. He was immediately 
ruvtted to court, and the most brilliant prospects began to open before 
bun. 




































/ 


200 HISTORY e? ENGLAND 


.CHAPTER XXVII. 

JAMES I. 

Born 15G6 Dird March 27, 1025. Began to reign March 24, 1603. Reign oi 27 
years over Great Britain, 58 years (nearly) over ScMlarti. 

Non on the great and glonous queen’s demise. 

The Scottish James her vacant place supplies; 

Uniting into one, both crowns he claims, 

And them conjunctively Great Britain names. — Kgcrton. 

1. (A.D. 1603.) James the Sixtli of Scotland, and the 
First of England, the son of Mary, came to the throne with 
the universal approbation of all orders of the state, as in his 
person were united every claim that either descent, bequest, 
or parliamentary sanction could confer. However, in the 
very beginning of his reign, a conspiracy was set on foot 
the particulars of which are but obscurely related. 2. It is 
said to have been begun by lord Grey, lord Cobham, and 
sir Waller Raleigh, who were all condemned to die, but had 
their sentence mitigated by the king. Cobham and Grey 
were pardoned after they had laid their heads on the block 
Raleigh was reprieved, but remained in confinement many 
years afterwards, and at last suffered for his offence, which 
was never proved. 

3. Mild as this monarch was in toleration, there was a 
project contrived in the very beginning of his reign for the 
re-establishment of popery, which, were it not a fact known 
to all the world, could scarcely be credited by posterity. 
This was the gunpowder plot, than which a more horrid or 
terrible scheme never entered into the human heart to con¬ 
ceive. 

4. The Roman catholics had expected great favour and 
indulgence on the accession of James, both as a descendant 
of Mary, a rigid catholic, and also as having shown some 
partiality to that religion in his youth ; but they soon disco¬ 
vered their mistake, and were at once surprised and enraged 
to find James, on all occasions, express his resolution of 
strictly exercising the laws enacted against them, and of per¬ 
severing in the conduct of his predecessor. This declaiation 
determined them upon more desperate measures; and they 
at length formed a resolution of destroying the king and 
both houses of parliament at a blow. The scheme was first 
broached by Robert Catesbv, a gentleman of good parts and 
ancient family ; who conceived that a train of gunpowder 


JAMES I. 


201 


might be so placed under the parliament house as to blow 
up the king and all the members at once. 

0. How horrid soever the contrivance might appear, yet 
every member seemed faithful and secret in the league ; and 
about two months before the sitting of parliament, they hired 
a house, in the name of Percy, adjoining to that in which 
the parliament was to assemble. 7. Their first intention 
was to bore a way under the parliament-house from that 
which they occupied, and they set themselves labouring at 
the task; but when they had pierced the wall, which was 
three yards in thickness, on approaching the other side, they 
were surprised to find that the house was vaulted underneath, 
and that a magazine of coals was usually deposited there. 
8. From their disappointment on this account they were 
soon relieved, by information that the coals were then sell¬ 
ing off, and that the vaults would then be let to the highest 
bidder. They therefore seized the opportunity of hiring 
the place, and bought the remaining quantity of coals with 
which it was then stored, as if for their own use. 9. The 
next thing done was to convey thither thirty-six barrels of 
gunpowder, which had been purchased in Holland, and the 
whole was covered with coals and fagots, bought for that 
purpose. Then the doors of the cellar were boldly thrown 
open, and everybody admitted as if it contained nothing 
dangerous. 

10. Confident of success, they now began to plan the re¬ 
maining part of their project. The king, queen, and prince 
Henry, the king’s eldest son, were all expected to be present 
at the opening of the parliament. The king’s second son, 
by reason of his tender age, would be absent, and it was 
resolved that Percy should seize or assassinate him. The 
princess Elizabeth, a child likewise, was kept at lord Har¬ 
rington’s house in Warwickshire; and sir Everard Digby 
uls to seize her, and immediately proclaim her queen. 

11. The day for the sitting of parliament now approached. 
[Never was treason more secret, or ruin more apparently in¬ 
evitable : the hour was expected with impatience, and the 
conspirators gloried in their meditated guilt. The dreadful 
secret, though communicated to above twenty persons, had 
been inviolably kept during the space of a year and a half. 
When all the motives of pity, justice, and safety were too 
weak, a remorse of private friendship saved the kingdom. 

12. Sir Henry Percy, one of the conspirators, conceived 
a design ol saving the life of lord Mounteagle, his intimate 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


i!02 

friend and companion, who also was of the same peiM.iE.sicn 
with himself. About ten days before the meeting ol parlia¬ 
ment, tliis nobleman, upon bis return to town, received a 
letter from a person unknown, and delivered by one who 
lied as soon as he had discharged his message. 13. The 
letter was to this effect: “ My lord, stay away from this 
parliament; for God and man have concurred to punish the 
wickedness of the times. And think not slightly of this 
advertisement, but retire yourself into your country, where 
you may expect the event in safety. For though there be 
no appearance of any stir, yet I say they will receive a ter¬ 
rible blow this parliament; and yet they shall not see who 
hurts them. This counsel is not to be condemned, because 
it may do you good, and can do you no harm. For the 
danger is past as soon as you have burned the letter.” 

14. The contents of this mysterious letter surprised and 
puzzled the nobleman to whom it was addressed ; and- 
tlmugh inclined to think it a foolish attempt to affright and 
ridicule him, yet he judged it safest to carry it to lord Salis¬ 
bury, secretary of state. 15. Lord Salisbury, too, was in¬ 
clined to give little attention to it. yet thought proper to lay 
it before the king in council, who came to town a few days 
after. None of the council were able to make any thing of 
it, although it appeared serious and alarming. In the uni¬ 
versal agitation between doubt and apprehension, the king 
was the first who penetrated the meaning of this dark epistle 
16. lie concluded that some sudden danger was preparing 
by gunpowder; and it was thought advisable to inspect all 
the vaults below the houses of parliament. This care he 
longed to the earl of Suffolk, lord chamberlain, who pur¬ 
posely delayed the search till the day before the meeting of 
parliament, November 5, 1605. He remarked those great 
piles of fagots which lay in the vault under the house of 
peers, and seized a man preparing for the terrible enterprise, 
dressed in a cloak and boots, with a dark lantern in his 
hand. 17. This was no other than Guy Fawkes, who had 
just deposited every part of the train for its taking Ore the 
next morning, the matches and other combustibles being 
found in his pockets. The whole design was now disco¬ 
vered ; but the atrociousness of his guilt, and the despair of 
pardon, inspiring him with resolution, he told the officers of 
justice, with an undaunted air, that, had he blown them and 
himself up together, he had been happy. Before the coun¬ 
cil lie displayed the same intrepid firmness, mixed even with 


JAMES I. 203. 



Seizure ot Guy tawKes. 


scorn and disdain, refusing to discover his associates, and 
showing no concern hut for the failure of liis enterprise. But 
his bold spirit was at length subdued ; being confined in the 
Tower for two or three days, and the rack just shown him. 
his courage, fatigued with so long an effort, at last failed 
him, and lie made a full discovery of all his accomplices. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 Who succeeded Elizabeth ? 

2. What conspirat y was set on foot at the commencement of this roign t 

3. What project was contrived for the rc-establishment of popery? 

5 By whom was it first broached ? 

C—9. In what manner was tne project endeavoured to be carried into effect 
10. Who were expected to b*> present at the opening of parliament ? 

11 To how many persons had the plot been revealed I 
12. What circumstance saved the kingdom ? 

13 What were the contents of Percy’s letter? ^ 

J5 Who was the first to discover the meaning of the letter? 

Id ( lan you relate the measures taken to prevent the apprehended danger 
17 W'ml was the name of the person engaged in this enterprise? und wnat 
was his conduct on being discovered ? 


SECTION II. 

ret Raleigh left a deathless name. 

To learning dear, and dear to fame. — Dibdin. 

1. (A. 1). 1605) Cates uv, Percy, and th 3 conspirators 
who wore in Condon, hearing that Fawkes was arrested 
fled with all speed to Warwickshire, where Sir Everard 






















HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


204 

Jjigby, relying on the success of the plot, was already in 
arms. But the country soon began to take the alarm, and 
wherever they turned, they found a superior force ready to 
oppose them. 2. In this exigence, beset on all sides, they 
resolved, to the number of about eighty persons, to fly no 
further, but to make a stand at a house in Warwickshire, to 
defend it to the last, and sell their lives as dearly as possible. 
But even this miserable consolation was denied them ; a 
spark of fire happening to fall among some gunpowder that 
was laid to dry, it blew up, and so maimed the principal 
conspirators, that the survivors resolved to open the gate, 
and sally out against the multitude that surrounded the house. 

3. Some were instantly cut to pieces ; Catesby, Percy, and 
Winter, standing back to back, fought long and desperately, 
till in the end the two first fell covered with wounds, and 
Winter was taken alive. Those that survived the slaughter 
were tried and convicted; several fell by the hands of the 
executioner, and others experienced the king’s mercy. The 
Jesuits, Garnet and Oldcorn, who were privy to the plot, 
suffered with the rest, and, notwithstanding the atrociousness 
of their treason, Garnet was considered by his party as a 
martyr, and miracles were said to have been wrought by his 
blood. 

4. The sagacity with which the king first discovered the 
plot raised the opinion of his wisdom among the people, 
but the folly with which he gave himself up to his favour* 
ites quickly undeceived the nation. A.I). 1012. in the 
first rank of these stood Robert Carr, a youth of a good 
family in Scotland, who, after having passed some time in 
his travels, arrived in London, at about twenty years of age 
All his natural accomplishments consisted in a pleasing vi 
sage ; and all his acquired abilities in an easy and graceful 
demeanour. 

5. This youth was considered as a most rising man at 
court , he was knighted, created viscount Rochester, ho¬ 
noured with the order of the garter, made a privy counsellor, 
and to raise him to the highest pitch of honour, he was at 
last created earl of Somerset. 

0. This was an advancement which some regarded with 
envy; but the wiser part of mankind looked upon it with 
contempt and ridicule, sensible that ungrounded attachments 
are seldom of long continuance. Some time after, being 
accused and convicted, from private motives, of poisoning 
sir Thomas Overbury in the Tower, he fell under the king's 


JAMES I. 


205 


displeasure. and being driven from court, spent the remain* 
der of his life in contempt and self-conviction. 

7. Mut the king had not been so improvident as to part 
ivith one favourite until he had provided himself with an¬ 
other. This was George Villiers, a youth of one-and-twenty, 
the vouwger brother of a good family, who was returned 
about that time trom his travels, and whom the enemies of 
Somerset had taken occasion to throw in the king’s way 
certain that his beauty and fashionable manners would do 
the rest. 8. Accordingly' he had been placed at a comedy 
full in the king’s view, and immediately caught the monarch’s 
affections. In the course of a few years, he was created 
viscount Villiers, earl, marquis, and duke of Buckingham, 
knight of the garter, master of the horse, chief justice in 
eyre, warden of the cinque ports, master of the king’s bench 
office, steward of Westminster, constable of Windsor, and 
lord high admiral of England. 

9. The universal murmur which these foolish attachments 
produced was soon after heightened by an act of severity, 
which still continues as the blackest stain upon this mo¬ 
narch’s memory. The brave and learned Raleigh had been 
confined in the 'Tower, almost from the very beginning of 
James’s accession, for a conspiracy which had never been 
proved against him ; and in that abode of wretchedness he 
wrote several valuable performances, which are still in the 
highest esteem. 10. His long sufferings, and his ingenious 
writings, had now turned the tide of popular opinion in his 
favour; and they who once detested the enemy of Essex, 
could not now help pitying the captivity of this philosophi¬ 
cal soldier. He himself still struggled for freedom ; and 
perhaps it was with this desire that he spread the report of 
his having discovered a gold mine in Guiana, which was 
sufficient to enrich not only the adventurers who should 
seize it, but afford immense treasures to the nation. 11. 
The king, either believing his assertions, or willing to subject 
him to further disgrace, granted him a commission to try his 
foriune in quest of these golden schemes ; but still reserved 
his former sentence as a check upon his future behaviour. 

12. Raleigh was not long in making preparations for this 
adventure, which, from the sanguine manner in which he 
carried it on. many thought he believed to be as promising 
as he described it. He bent his course to Guiana, and re¬ 
maining himself at the mouth of the river Oronooko with 
five of the largest ships, he sent the rest up the stream, under 


206 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


the command of his son, and captain Kemmis, a person en 
tirelv devoted to his interest. 13. But instead ol a country 
abounding in gold, as the adventurers were taught to expect, 
they found the Spaniards had been warned of tlu ir approacn. 
and were prepared in arms to receive them. Young Ra- 
leitrh, to encourage his men, called out that “ was the true 
mine,” meaning the town of St. 'Thomas, which he was ap¬ 
proaching ; “ and that none but fools looked foranv other;” 

ut just as he was speaking he received a shot, of which he 
immediately expired. This was followed by another dis¬ 
appointment; for when the English took possession of the 
to wn, they found nothing in it of any value. 

14. Raleigh, in this forlorn situation, found now that all 
his hopes were over ; and saw his misfortunes still farther 
aggravated by the reproaches of those whom he had under¬ 
taken to command. Nothing could be more deplorable than 
his situation, particularly when he was told that he must be 
carried back to England, to answer for his conduct to the 
king. 15. It is pretended that he employed many artifices, 
first to engage them to attack the Spanish settlements at a 
time of peace, and, failing of that, to make liis escape into 
France. But all of those proving unsuccessful, he was de¬ 
livered into the king’s hands, and strictly examined, as well 
as his fellow-adventurers, before the privy council. Count 
Gondemar, the Spanish ambassador, made heavy complaints 
against the expedition ; and the king declared that Raleigh 
had express orders to avoid all disputes and b utilities 
against the Spaniards. 16. Wherefore, to give the court of 
Spain a particular instance of his attachment, he s» pied the 
warrant for his execution ; not for the present oft -.nee, bu 
for his former conspiracy. This great man died with the 
same fortitude he had testified through life ; he observed, 
as he felt the edge of the axe, that it was a sharp but a sure 
remedy for all evils; his harangue to the people was calm 
and eloquent; and he laid his head down on the block witb 
the utmost indifference. 


Questions for Examination. 

i What measures were taken by the principal conspirators 
? What was their fate? 

4 W ao was king James’s first favourite? 

6 How did Somerset (all under the king’s displeasure? 

7 Woo was the king’s next favourite ? 

8. What honours did he confer on him ? 

9 For wuul was sir Waller Raleigh confined in the Tower 



JAMES I. 


207 


0 What report did Raleigh spread ? 

t‘2 -15. Mention the particulars relating to this exi»editiaa 
Ifi W.iat uas the fate of this great man ? 

W hat v\a*; ius behavioural lus execution J 


SECTION II. 

Thoneh scorn’d abroad, bewilder’d in a maze 
Of truiile>8 treHtu-s, while at home enslaved. 

He lost his people’s confidence and love. — Thomson. 

1. (A.D. 1018.) But there soon appeared veiy anna 
rent reasons for James’s partiality to the court of Spain. 
This monarch had entertained an opinion which was pecu¬ 
liar to himself, that in marrying his son Charles, the prince 
of Wales, any alliance belov C.at of royalty would be un¬ 
worthy of him : he, therefore, was obliged to seek, either 
in the court of France or Spain, a suitable match, and he 
was taught to think of the latter. 2. Gondemar, who was 
an ambassador from the court, perceiving this weak mo¬ 
narch’s partiality to a crowned head, made an offer of the 
second daughter of Spain to prince Charles; and that he 
might render the temptation irresistible, he gave hopes of an 
immense fortune which should attend the princess. How¬ 
ever, this was a negotiation which was not likely soon to 
be ended ; and from the time the idea was first started, James 
saw five years elapse without bringing the treaty to any kind 
oi conclusion. 

3 A delay of this kind was very displeasing to the king, 
who had all along an eye on the great fortune of the prin¬ 
cess ; nor was it less disagreeable to prince Charles, who, 
bred up with the ideas of romantic passion, was in love 
without ever seeing the object of his affections. In this 
general tedium of delay, a project entered the head of Vil- 
liers, who had for some years ruled the f'ng with absolute 
authority, that was fitter to be conceived by the knight of a 
romance than by a minister and a statesman. 4. It was 
projected that the prince should himself travel in disguise 
into Spain, and visit the princess of that country in person- 
Buckingham, who wanted to ingratiate himself with the 
prince, offered to be his companion; and the king, whose 
business it was to check so wild a scheme, gave bis consent 
to this hopeful proposal. 5. Their adventures on this 
strange project would fill novels ; and have actually been 
made the subject of many. Charles was the knight-errant, 
und Buckingham was the squire The match,, however, 



208 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


crake off, for what reason historians do not assign ; but, :( 
we may credit the novelists of that time, the prince had nl 
ready fixed his affections upon the daughter of Henry IV 
->f France, whom he married shortly alter. 

3. It may he easily supposed that these mismanagements 
were seen and felt by the people. The house of commons 
was become by this time quite unmanagable ; the prodigality 
of James to his favourites had made his necessities so many* 
that he was contented to sell the different branches of hi 
prerogative to the commons, one after the other, to procure 
supplies. In proportion as they perceived his wants, they 
found out new grievances ; and every grant of money was 
sure to come with a petition for redress. The struggles be¬ 
tween him and the parliament had been growing'more and 
more violent every session ; and the very last advanced their 
pretensions to such a degree, that he began to take the 
alarm : but these evils, which the weakness of this monarch 
had contributed to give birth to, fell upon his successor. 

7. These domestic troubles were attended by others still 
more important in Germany, and which produced in the end 
most dangerous effects. The king’s eldest daughter had 
been married to Frederic, the elector palatine of Germany ; 
and this prince, revolting against the emperor Ferdinand the 
Second, was defeated in a decisive battle, and obliged to take 
refuge in Holland. 8. His affinity to the English crown, 
his misfortunes, but particularly the protestant religion, for 
which he had contended, were strong motives to the people 
of England to wish well to his cause ; and frequent ad¬ 
dresses were sent from the commons to induce James to take 
a part in the German contest, and to replace the exiled 
prince upon the throne of his ancestors. 9. James at first 
attempted to ward off the misfortunes of his son-in-taw by 
negotiation, A.D. 1020 ; but this proving utttrly ineffectual, 
it was at last resolved to rescue the palatinate from the empe¬ 
ror by force of arms. Accordingly, war was declared 
against Spain and the emperor ; six thousand men were 
sent over into Holland, to assist prince Maurice in his 
schemes against those powers ; the people were every¬ 
where elated at the courage of their king, and were satisfied 
with any war which was to exterminate the papists. 10 
This army was followed by another, consisting of twelve 
thousand men, commanded by count Mansfeldt; and the 
court of France promised its assistance. But the English 
were disappointed in all their views ; the troops being em- 


JAMES 1. 


209 


darketl at Dover, upon sailing 1 to Calais they found no orders 
for liieir admission. After waiting in vain for some time, 
they were obliged to sail towards Zealand, where no proper 
measures were yet concerted for their disembarkation. 11. 
Meanwhile a pestilential disease crept in among the forces, 
so long cooped up in narrow vessels ; half the army died 
while on board ; and the other half, weakened by sickness, 
appeared too small a body to march into the palatinate ; and 
thus ended this ill-concerted and fruitless expedition. 

12. Whether this misfortune had any effect upon James’s 
constitution is uncertain ; hut he was soon after seized with 
a tertian ague, which when his courtiers assured him from 
the proverb that it was health fora king, he replied, that the 
proverb was made for a young king. A.l). 1025. After 
some fits he found himself extremely weakened, and sent 
for the prince, whom he exhorted to persevere in the pro 
testant religion ; then, preparing with decency and courage 
to meet his end, he expired, after a reign over England of 
twenty-two years, and in the fifty-ninth year of his age. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What were the reasons for James’s partiality to Spain ? 

2. What oiler was made by the Spanish ambassador ? 

4. What project was formed by Villiers, and by whom was it undertaken f 

5. What was its success ? 

6. How did the house of commons act towards James? 

7—11. Relate the circumstances that occurred in Germany. 

12. In what manner did t he king conduct himself previously to his death? 
llow long did he reign ? 


CONTEMPOR ARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

Clement VIII. . 

Uo XI. 

Paul III. 

Gregory XV.. . 
Urban VIII ... 


a.d 

1592 

1605 

1605 

1621 

1623 


Emperor of the Turks. | Kings of Spam and 
a r>. j Portugal. A.n 

Achmet 1. 10o3 Philip 111. 159“ 

Mustapha 1. 1017iPhilip IV. 1621 


Osman I. 

Mustapha I. restor¬ 
ed . 

Amurath IV. 


1618 

1622 

1623 


Kin" of Denmark. 
Christian IV. 1588 


Emperors of Germany. 
Rodolphus II. 1576 


Kin as of France. 


Matthias!. 1612 TTenry IV. 1589 

Ferdinand II. 1619:Louis XIII. ’610 


Kings oj Sueden. 


Sieismund. 1592 

Charles IX. 1*0 

Gustavus II. J61 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Henry prince of Wales. Carr, earl of Somerset. Villiers. dnke of B iofr 
ingham. Lord chancellor Bacon. Wii.i.iam Shakspkare. Sir Wal'er Kt 
lefeh. Sir Hugh Middleton. Lord chancellor Maitland. W. A. carl of 
Stirling. Sir M. Kerr, earl of Ancram. J Hamilton, earl of Haddington 
James,°duke of Hamilton. Henry Carey lord Falkland. G. Calvert, lord 

s 2 


























210 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Baltimore. Robert Carey, earl of Monmonth. Sir M. Cedi earl of SHri® 1 nrv 
Henry Howard, earl oi‘ Northampton. Lord chancellor Ellesmere. Sii 
Fn.Ike Greville, lord Brooke. G. Carew, eail of Totnes. W Herbert Caul 
>f Pembroke. Sir Dudley Carleton, viscount Dorchester L. Cecil, viscount 
Wimbledon, <fcc. &c. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CHARLES I. 

Dorn 1000 Died January 30, 1049. Be<ran to reign March 27, 1625. Reigued 

23j years. 

SECTION I. 

The monarch’s deeds shall large allowance claim, 

With whom too often, to a nation’s shame. 

Success is virtue and misfortune blame. — Dibdm. 

1. (A. D. 1625.) Few princes ever ascended the throne 
with more apparent advantages than Charles; and none ever 
encountered more real difficulties. Indeed, he undertook 
the reins of government with a fixed persuasion that his 
popularity was sufficient to carry every measure. 2. He 
had been loaded with a treaty for defending the prince 
palatine; his brother-in-law, in the last reign : and the war 
declared for that purpose was to be carried on with vigour 
in this. But war was more easily declared than supplies 
granted. After some reluctance, the commons voted him 
two subsidies; a sum far from being sufficient to support 
him in his intended equipment. 

3. To supply the want of parliamentary aid, Charles had 
recourse to some of the ancient methods of extortion, prac¬ 
tised by sovereigns when in necessitous circumstances, 
’1 hat kind of tax called a benevolence was ordered to he 
exacted, and privy seals were issued accordingly. With 
this the people were obliged, though reluctantly, to comply; 
it was in fact authorized by many precedents; but no pre¬ 
cedent whatsoever could give a sanction to injustice. 

4. After an ineffectual expedition to Cadiz, another at* 
Lmpt was made to obtain supplies in a more regular and 
constitutional manner than before. Another parliament was 
accordingly called ; and though some steps were taken tc 
exclude the more popular leaders of the last house of com¬ 
mons. by nominating them as sheriffs of counties, yet the 
Di'esent parliament seemed more refractory than the former 






CHARLES I 


211 

5, When the king laid before the house his necessities, and 
asked for a supply, they voted him only three subsidies, 
which amounted to about sixty thousand pounds; a sum no 
way adequate to the importance of the war, or the necessities 
ol the state. In order, therefore, to gain a sufficient supply, 
a commission was openly granted to compound with the 
catholics, and agree for a dispensation of the penal laws 
against them. He borrowed a sum of money from the no¬ 
thin y, whose contributions came in but slowly. 6. But the 
greatest stretch of his power was in the levying of ship- 
money. In order to equip a fleet (at least this was the 
pretence made), each of the maritime towns was required, 
with the assistance of the adjacent counties, to arm as many 
vessels as were appointed them. The city of London was 
rated at twenty ships. This was the commencement of a 
tax, which afterwards, being carried to such violent lengths, 
created such discontents in the nation. 

7. War being soon after declared against France, a fleet 
was sent out. under the command of Buckingham, to relieve 
Rochelle, a maritime town in that kingdom, that had long 
enjoyed its privileges, independent of the French king ; but 
tlu\t had for some time embraced the reformed religion, and 
now was besieged with a formidable army. This expedition 
was as unfortunate as that to the coast of Spain. 8. The 
duke’s measures were so ill concerted, that the inhabitants 
of the city shut their gates, and refused to admit allies, of 
whose coming they were not previously informed. Instead 
of attacking the island of Oleron, which was fertile and de¬ 
fenceless, he bent his course to the isle of Rhe, which was 
garrisoned and well fortified. He attempted there to starve 
out the garrison of St. Martin’s castle, which was plentifully 
supplied with provisions bv sea. 9. By that time the French 
had landed their forces privately at another part of the island : 
so that Buckingham was at last obliged to retreat, but with 
such precipitation, that two-thirds of his army were cut to 
pieces before he could re-embark, though he was the last 
man of the whole army that quitted the shore. 10. This 
proof of his personal courage, however, was but a small 
subject of consolation for the disgrace which his country 
had sustained, for his own person would have been the last 
they would have regretted. 

11. The contest between the king and the commons every 
day grew warmer. The officers of the custom-house were 
summoned before the commons, to give an account bv what 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


£12 

authority they seized the goods of the merchants who had 
refused to pay the duty of tonnage and poundage, which 
they alleged was levied without the sanction of law. The 
Darons of the exchequer were examined concerning their 
decrees on that head ; and the sheriff of London committed 
to the Tower for his activity in supporting the custom-house 
officers. 12. These were bold measures ; but the commons 
went still further, by a resolution to examine into religious 
Grievances, and a new spirit of intolerance began to appear, 
A. I). 1029. The king, therefore, resolved to dissolve a 
parliament which he found himself unable to manage ; and 
sir John Finch, the speaker, just as the question concerning 
tonnage and poundage was going to be put, rose up, and 
informed the house that he had a command from the king 
to adjourn. 

13. The house upon this was in an uproar; the speaker 
was pushed back into his chair, and forcibly held in it by 
Hollis and Valentine, till a short remonstrance was framed, 
and passed by acclamation rather than vote. In this hasty 
production, papists and Arminians were declared capital 
enemies to the state ; tonnage and poundage were condemned 
as contrary to the law ; and not only those who raised that 
duty, but those who paid it, were considered as guilty of 
capital crimes. 

14. In consequence of this violent procedure, sir Miles 
Hobart, sir Peter Haymen, Selden, Coriton, Long, and 
Strode, were, by the king’s order, committed to prison, 
under pretence of sedition. But the same temerity that 
impelled Charles to imprison them, induced him to grant 
them a release. 15. Sir John Elliot, Hollis, and Valentine 
were summoned before the king’s bench ; but they refusing 
to appear before an inferior tribunal for faults committed in 
a superior, were condemned to be imprisoned during the 
king’s pleasure ; the two former to pay a fine of a thousand 
pounds each, and the latter five hundred, and to find suretie 
for their good behaviour. The members triumphed in their 
sufferings, while they had the whole kingdom as spectators 
and applauders of their fortitude. 

1G. In the mean time, while the king w T as thus distressed 
y the obstinacy of the commons, he felt a much severer 
blow by the death of his favourite, the duke of Buckingham, 
Who fell a sacrifice to his unpopularity. 17. It had been 
/^solved once more to undertake the raising of the siege of 
Rochelle; and the earl of Denbigh brother-in-law to Duck 


CHARLES 1. 


213 


ingham, was sent thither, hut returned without effecting any 
thing. In order to repair this disgrace, the duke of Buck 
ingham went in person to Portsmouth to huny on another 
expedition, and to punish such as had endeavoured to de¬ 
fraud the crown of the legal assessments. 18. In the general 
discontent that prevailed against that nobleman, it was daily 
expected that some severe measures would be resolved on; 
and he was stigmatized as the tyrant and betrayer of his 
Country There was one Felton, who caught the general 
contagion,—an Irishman of a good family, who had served 
under the duke as lieutenant, but had resigned, on being 
refused his rank on the death of his captain, who had been 
killed at the isle of Rhe. 19. 'This man was naturally me¬ 
lancholy, courageous, and enthusiastic ; he felt for the coun¬ 
try, as if labouring under a calamity which he thought it in 
the power of his single arm to remove. He, therefore, re¬ 
solved to kill the duke, and thus revenge his own private in¬ 
juries. while he did service also to God and man. 20. Ani¬ 
mate*’ in this manner with gloomy zeal and mistaken 
patriotism, lie travelled down to Portsmouth alone, and 
entered the town while the duke was surrounded by his 
levee, and giving out the necessary orders for embarkation. 
While he was speaking to one of his colonels, Felton struck 
mm over an officer’s shoulder in the breast with his knife. 

21. 'I'lie duke had only time to say, “ The villain has killed 
me when he fell at the colonel’s feet, and instantly ex¬ 
pired. No one had seen the blow, nor the person who 
gave it; but a hat being picked up, on the inside of which 
was sewed a paper containing four or five lines of the re¬ 
monstrance of the commons against the duke, it was con¬ 
cluded that this hat must belonjr to the assassin ; and while 
they were employed in conjectures whose it should be, a 
man without a hat was seen walking very composedly 
before the door, and was heard to cry out, “ I am he !” 

22. He disdained denying a murder in which he gloried 
and averred that he looked upon the duke is an enemy to 
his country, and, as such, deserving to suffer. When asked 
at whose instigation he had perpetrated that horrid deed, he 
answered that they need not trouble themselves in that in¬ 
quiry : that his conscience was his only prompter, and that 
no man on earth could dispose him to act against its dictates 
He suffered with the same degree of constancy to the last: 
nor were there many wanting, who admired not only his 
fortitude, but the action for which he suffered 


214 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


Questions for Examination. 

I. Who succeeded James? 

3—6. What methods were taken to procure supplies ? 

7 —10. What success attended Buckingham's expedition to France/ 

II What followed the contest between the king and the conn noun ? 

13 What iproar was excited by the king’s command to adjourn ? 

14, 15. Under what pretence did the king send many ol the members t« 
prison ? 

17—21 Relate the circumstances which attended the assassination of the 
duke of Buckingham. 

12. What was the conduct of the assassin ? 


SECTION II. 

When civil (Infineon first erew hieh. 

And men tell out, they knew not why. — Butler. 

1. (A.D. 1627.) The kind’s first measure, now being 
left without a minister and a parliament, was a prudent one 
lie made a peace with the two crowns against whom he had 
hitherto waged war, which had been entered upon without 
necessity, and conducted without glory. 2. Being freed 
from these embarrassments, he bent bis whole attention to 
the management of the internal policy of the kingdom, and 
took two men as his associates in this task, who still acted 
an under part to himself. These were, sir Thomas Went¬ 
worth, afterwards created earl of Strafford; and Laud, after¬ 
wards archbishop of Canterbury. 

3. While Laud, therefore, during this long interval, ruled 
the church, the king and Strafford undertook to manage tho 
temporal interests of the nation. A declaration was dis¬ 
persed, implying that during this reign no more parliaments 
would be summoned ; and every measure of the king but 
too well served to confirm the suspicion. 

4. Tonnage and poundage were continued to be levied by 
royal authority alone ; custom-house officers received orders 
from the council to enter any house whatever, in search of 
suspected goods: compositions were openly made with 
papists, and their religion was become a regular part of the 
revenue. 5. 'The high commission court and the court of 
the star-chamber exercised their power, independent of any 
law, upon several bold innovators in liberty, who only 
gloried in their sufferings, and contributed to render govern 
merit odious and contemptible. Prynne, a barrister at Lm« 
coln’s-Inn; Burton, a divine; and Bastwick, a physician; 
wore tried before this tribunal for schismatical libels, in 
which they attacked, with great severity and intemperate 



CHARLES 1. 


215 


zeal, the ceremonies of the church of England. They were 
condemned to he pilloried, to lose their ears, and to pay live 
thousand pounds to the king. 

0. Every year, every month, every day, gave fresh in¬ 
stances, curing this long intermission of parliaments, ol the 
resolution of the court to throw them off for ever ; but the 
levying ol ship-money, as it was called, being a general 
burden, was universally complained of as a national griev¬ 
ance. This was a tax which had, in former reigns, been 
levied without the consent of parliament, but then the 
exigency of the state demanded such a supply. 7. John 
Hampden, a gentleman of fortune in Buckinghamshire, re¬ 
fused to comply with the tax, and resolved to bring it to a 
legal determination. He had been rated at twenty shillings 
for his estate, which he refused to pay; and the case was 
argued twelve days in the exchequer chamber, before all 
the judges of England. 8. The nation regarded, with the 
utmost anxiety, the result of a trial that was to fix the limits 
of the king’s power. All the judges, four only excepted, 
gave sentence in favour of the crown ; while Hampden, 
who lost his cause, was more than sufficiently recompensed 
by the applause of the people. 

9. The discontent and opposition which the king met 
with, in maintaining episcopacy among his English subjects, 
might, one would think, hinder him from attempting to in¬ 
troduce it among those of Scotland, where it was generally 
hateful. Having published an order for reading the liturgy 
in the principal church in Edinburgh, the people received it 
with clamours and imprecations. 10. The seditious disposi¬ 
tion in that kingdom, which had hitherto been kept within 
bounds, was now too furious for restraint, and the insurrec¬ 
tion became general over all the country, and the Scots flew 
to arms with great animosity. 

11. Yet still the king could not think of desisting from 
his design ; and so prepossessed was he in favour of royal 
right, that he thought the very name of king, when forcibly 
urged, would induce them to return to their duty. Instead, 
therefore, of fighting with his opponents, he entered upon a 
treaty with them ; so that a suspension of arms was soon 
agreed upon, and a treaty of peace concluded, which 
neither side intended to observe; and then both parties 
agreed to disband their forces. After much altercation, and 
aiany treaties signed anti broken, both parties had recourse 


216 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


once more to arms, and nothing but blood could satiate the 
contenders. 

12. War being thus resolved on, the King took every 
method as before for raising money to support it. Ship 
money was levied as usual ; some other arbitrary taxes 
were exacted from the reluctant people with great severity, 
but these were far from being sufficient; and there now re* 
mained only one method more, the long-neglected method 
of a parliamentary supply. 

13. The new house of commons, however, could not be 
induced to treat the Scots, who were of the same principles 
with themselves, and contending against the same ceremo¬ 
nies, as enemies of the state. They regarded them as 
friends and brothers, who first rose to teacli them a duty it 
was incumbent on all virtuous minds to imitate. The 
king, therefore, could reap no other fruits from this assem¬ 
bly than murmurings and complaints. 14. Every method 
he had taken to supply himself with money was declared 
an abuse, and breach of the constitution. The king, there¬ 
fore, finding no hones of a compliance with his requests, 
but recrimination instead of redress, once more dissolved 
the parliament, to try the most feasible methods of removing 
his necessities. 

15. His necessities, however, continuing, that parliament 
was called, which did not cease sitting till they overturned 
the constitution. Without any interval they entered upon 
business, and by unanimous consent, they struck a blow that 
might be regarded as decisive. Instead of granting the 
demand of subsidies, they impeached the earl of Strafford 
the king’s first minister, and had him arraigned before the 
house of peers for high-treason. 16. After a long and elo¬ 
quent speech, delivered without premeditation, in which he 
confuted all the accusations of his enemies, he was found 
guilty by both houses of parliament; and nothing remained 
but for the king to give his consent to the bill of attainder. 
Charles, who loved Strafford tenderly, hesitated, and seemed 
reluctant, trying every expedient to put off so dreadful a 
duty as that of signing the warrant for his execution. 17. 
While he continued in this agitation of mind, not knowing 
how to act, his doubts were at last silenced by an act of 
heroic bravery in the condemned lord. He received a letter 
from that unfortunate nobleman, desiring that his life migh* 
be made the sacrifice of mutual reconciliation between tho 


CHARLES 1. 


217 


king and the people ; adding, that he was prepared to die 
and to a willing mind there could be no injury. 18. This 
instance of noble generosity was but ill repaid by his mas¬ 
ter, who complied with his request. He consented to sign 
the fatal bill by commission ; Strafford was beheaded on 
Tower-hill, behaving with all that composed dignity of re¬ 
solution that was expected from his character. 

19. In this universal rage for punishment, the parlia¬ 
ment fell with great justice on two courts, which had been 
erected under arbitrary kings, and had seldom been era 
ployed but in cases of necessity. These were, the high 
commission court, and the court of star-chamber. A bill 
unanimously passed the houses to abolish both ; and in 
them to annihilate the principal and most dangerous articles 
in the king’s prerogative. 

20. In the midst of these troubles an insurrection in the 
northern counties of Ireland, accompanied by several acts 
of atrocious cruelty, excited great alarm throughout the 
empire. The insurgents might have been easily subdued, 
but the king’s deputies in Ireland, eager to make their 
fortunes by trailing in confiscations, averred, that all the 
catholics in the kingdom were involved in the guilt of this 
rebellion, and by wicked arts changed the local disturbance 
into a general civil war. Many wanton murders were com¬ 
mitted on both sides; religious zeal added bitterness to 
political animosity; the hatred of heresy by one party, and 
of popery by the other, led men to perpetiate and palliate 
crimes shocking to human nature. The war lasted several 
years; four hostile parties had armies in Ireland, the native 
Irish, the descendants of the early settlers, usually called 
“ the lords of the pale,” the royalists, and the puritans, 
who supported the supremacy of the English parliament. 
The last party, though infinitely the weakest, finally tri¬ 
umphed by taking advantage of the dissensions and errors 
of the other three. 

21. The king, aware that he was already suspected of a 
secret attachment to popery, and that the northern Irish 
pretended to have his authority for taking up arms, used 
every means in his power to put down the rebellion. Hut 
he was no longer able to effect this desirable object, the 
native Irish and the lords of the pale, frequently deceived 
before, would not trust the royal promises ; 1 arsons and 
Borlase, the lords justices of Ireland, refused to obey the 
king’s commands ; and the English parliament gladly used 


218 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

the Irish war as a pretext for levying soldiers . for every 
one now clearly foresaw that the disputes between the king 
and the parliament must finally be decided ny the sword. 
Many insinuations were thrown out that he had himself 
fomented this rebellion, and no money could be spared for 
the extinction of distant dangers, when they pretended that 
the kingdom was threatened with greater at home. 

It was now that the republican spirit began to appear 
ithout anv disguise in the present parliament; and that 
party, instead of attacking the faults ol the king, resolved 
to destroy monarchy. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What was the king’s lirst measure after Buckingham’s death? 

2, 3. By whom was the king assisted m his government? 

4. In what manner did the custom-house officers exact taxes ? 

5. What is said respecting the court of star-chamber ? 

6. What tax was the most generally complained of? 

7. 8. By w hom was the tax of ship-money opposed ? and what were the 

conseq uences ? 

9—12. What produced an insurrection in Scotland, and afterwards war 
13. How were the Scotch regarded by the new parliament? 

15. What was the conduct of the next parliament ? 

16—18. Describe the partieularsof the trial and death of the earl ofStralloid. 

19. What were the next proceedings of parliament ? 

20. What insurrection took place m Ireland ? 

21. llow was the king treated by his parliament on this occasion ? 

What spirit now openly manifested itself? 


SECTION III. 

The son and father loose mild nature’s ties. 

And by a brother's hand a brother dies.— Egcrton. 

1. (A.D. 1641.) The leaders of opposition began their 
operations by a resolution to attack episcopacy, which 
was one of the strongest bulwarks of the royal power. They 
accused thirteen bishops of high-treason, for enacting ca¬ 
nons without the consent of parliament; and endeavoured 
to prevail upon the house of peers to exclude all the prelates 
from their seats and votes in that august assembly. The 
bishops saw the storm that was gathering against them ; and, 
probably to avert its effects, they resolved to attend their 
duty in the house of lords no longer. 

2. This was a fatal blow to the royal interest; but it 
soon felt a much greater from the king’s own imprudence 
Charles had long suppressed his resentment, and only 





CHARLES 1. 


219 


strove* to satisfy the commons by the greatness of his con¬ 
cessions ; but, finding that all his compliances bad but in¬ 
creased their demands, he could no longer restrain it. 3. 
Ue gave orders to Herbert, his attorney-general, to enter an 
accusation of high-treason in the house of peers against lord 
Kimholton, one of the most popular men of his party, to*- 
gather with five commoners; sir Arthur Haslerig, Hollis. 
Hampden, Pym, and Strode. 4. The articles were, that 
they had traitorously endeavoured to subvert the fundamen¬ 
tal laws and government of the kingdom ; to deprive the 
king of his regal power, and to impose on his subjects an 
arbitrary and tyrannical authority. Men had scarcely lei¬ 
sure to wonder at the precipitancy and imprudence of his 
impeachment, when they were astonished by another mea¬ 
sure, still more rash and unsupported. 5. The next day the 
king himself was seen to enter the house of commons alone 
advancing through the hall, while all the members stood up 
to receive him. The speaker withdrew from the chair, and 
the king took possession of it. Having seated himself, and 
having looked around for some time, he told the house that 
he was sorry for the occasion that had forced him thither: 
that he was come in person to seize the members whom he 
had accuser! of high-treason, seeing they would not deliver 
them up to his serjeant-at-arms. He then sat down for 
some time, to see if the accused were present; but they had 
escaped a few minutes before his entry. 

6. Thus disappointed, perplexed, and not knowing on 
whom to rely, he next proceeded, amidst the clamours of 
the populace, who continued to cry out “Privilege! privi¬ 
lege to the common-council of the city, and made his 
complaints to them. The common-council only answered 
his complaints with a contemptuous silence ; and on his 
return, one of the populace, more insolent than the rest, 
cried out, “ To your tents, O Israel !” a watch-word 
among the Jews, when they intended to abandon their 
princes. 

7. Being returned to Windsor, he began to reflect on the 
rashness of his former proceedings, and now, too late, re¬ 
solved to make some atonement. He, therefore, wrote to 
the parliament, informing them that he desisted from his 
former proceedings against the accused members ; and as¬ 
sured them that upon all occasions he would be as careful 
of their privileges as of his life or his crown. Thus his 
former violence had rendered him hateful to his com- 


220 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


mons, and his present submission now rendered him con 
teinptible. 

8. The power of appointing- generals and levying armies 
v/as still a remaining prerogative of the crown. The com¬ 
mons having, therefore, first magnified their terrors of po¬ 
pery, which perhaps they actually dreaded, they proceeded 
to petition that the Tower might be put into their hands, 
unci that Hull, Portsmouth, and the fleet should be intrusted 
t> persons of their choosing. These were requests, the 
complying with which levelled all that remained of the an¬ 
cient const tution ; however, such was the necessity of the 
times, that they were first contested, and then granted. 9 
At last, every compliance only increased the avidity of mak¬ 
ing fresh demands; the commons desired to have a militia, 
raised and governed by such officers and commanders as 
they should nominate, under pretext of securing them from 
the Irish papists, of whom they professed to be in great 
apprehensions. 

10. It was here that Charles first ventured to put a stop 
to these concessions, and being urged to give up the com¬ 
mand of the army for an appointed time, he was so exas¬ 
perated that he exclaimed, “ No, not for an hour.” This 
preremptory refusal broke off all further treaty ; and both 
sides were resolved to have recourse to arms. 

11. No period since England began could show so many 
instances of courage, abilities, and virtue, as the present 
fatal opposition called forth into exertion, A.D. 1042. Now 
was the time when talents of all kinds, unchecked by au¬ 
thority, were called from the lower ranks of life, to dispute 
for power and pre-eminence. 

12. Manifestos on the one side and the other were now 
dispersed throughout the whole kingdom ; and the people 
were universally divided between two factions, distinguished 
by the names of cavaliers and roundheads. The king’s 
forces appeared in a very low condition ; besides the trained 
bands of the country, raised by sir John Digby, the sheriff, 
he had not got together three hundred infantry. 13. His 
cavalry, which composed his cmef strength, exceeded not 
eight hundred, and were very ill provided with arms. How¬ 
ever, he was soon gradually reinforced from all quarters, 
but not being then in a condition to face his enemies, he 
thought it prudent to retire by slow marches to Derby, and 
thence to Shrewsbury, in order to countenance the levies 
which his friends were making in those quarters. 


CHARLES I. 


22 . 

14. Tn the mean time the parliament was noi remiss in 
preparations on their side. They had a magazine ol arms 
at Hull, and sir John Hotham was appointed governor of 
that place by government. The forces also, which had been 
everywheie raised on pretence of the service of Ireland, 
were now more openly enlisted by the parliament for their 
own purposes, and the command given to the earl of Essex, 
a bold man. who rather desireu to see monarchy abridged 
than totally destroyed ; and in London no less than four 
thousand men were enlisted in one day. 

15 Edge-hill was the first place where the two armies 
were put in array against each other, ami the country 
drenched in civil slaughter. It was a dreadful sight to see 
above thirty thousand of the bravest men in the world, in¬ 
stead of employing their courage abroad, turning it against 
each other, while the dearest friends and nearest kinsmen 
embraced opposite sides, and prepared to burv their private 
regards in factious hatred. After an engagement of some 
hours, animosity seemed to be wearied out, and both sides 
separated with equal loss. Five thousand men are said to 
have been found dead on the field of battle. 


Questions for Examination 

1. What was the first act of the leaders of the opposition? 

By what means did the bishops avert the impending storm? 

2, 3. What was the king's conduct on this occasion ? 

4. What wpre the articles of impeachment ? 

5. flow did the king conduct himself when he went to the house of com 
mons ? 

6. How did the common-council afterwards receive him? 

7. What were the consequences of his rashness? 

8. 9. What were the next demands of the commons? 

10. On what occasion did the king stop all further concessions? 

What was the result ? 

12 By what names were the contending parties distinguished! 

13. In what situation were the king’s forces? 

11 What preparations did the pari lament make ? 

15 Where did the armies first meet? 

What was the issue of the baltle ? 


SECTION IV. 


To live with Freedom or to die with Fume.— Day. 

1. (A. D.) 1643 .) It would he tedious, and no way in¬ 
structive, to enter into the marchings and counter-marchings 
of these undisciplined and ill-conducted armies; war was 

t 2 




?22 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


•i new trade to the English, as they had not seen a hostile 
engagement in the island for nearly a century before. Thb 
queen came to reinforce the royal party ; she had brought 
soldiers and ammunition from Holland, and immediately 
departed to furnish more. 2. But the parliament, who knew 
its own consequence and strength, was no way discouraged. 
Their demands seemed to increase in proportion to their 
osses ; and as they were repressed in the field, they grew 
more haughty in the cabinet. Such governors as gave up 
their fortresses to the king were attainted of high-treason. 
3 It was in vain for the king to send proposals after any 
success ; this only raised their pride and their animosity. 
But though this desire in the king to make peace with his 
subjects was the highest encomium on his humanity ; yet 
iiis long negotiations, one of which was carried on at Ox¬ 
ford, were faulty as a warrior. He wasted that time in al¬ 
tercation and treaty, which he should have employed in 
vigorous exertions in the field. 

4. However, his first campaign, upon the whole, wore a 
favourable aspect. One victory followed after another ; 
Cornwall was reduced to peace and obedience under the 
king ; a victory was gained over the parliamentarians at 
Stratton-hill, in Cornwall ; another at Houndway Down, 
about two miles from Devizes ; and a third at Chalgrave 
Field. Bristol was besieged and taken, and Gloucester 
was invested ; the battle of Newbury was favourable to the 
royal cause ; and great hopes of success were formed from 
an army in the north, raised by the marquis of Newcastle 

5. In this first campaign, the two bravest and greatest 
men of their respective parties were killed ; as if it was in¬ 
tended, by the kindness of Providence, that they should be 
exempted from seeing the miseries and the slaughter which 
were shortly to ensue ; these were John Hampden, and 
Lucius Cary, lord Falkland. 'The first in a skirmish against 
prince Rupert; the other in the battle of Newbury, .which 
followed shortly after. 

6. Hampden, whom we have seen, in the beginning of 
these troubles, refusing to pay the ship-money, gained, by 
his inflexible integrity, the esteem even of his enemies. To 
these he added affability in conversation, temper, art, elo« 
quence in debate, and penetration in council. 

7. Falkland was still a greater loss, and greater character. 
He added to Hampden s severe principles a politeness and 
elegance but then beginning to be known in England He 


CHARLES I. 


223 


bad boldly withstood the king’s pretensions while he saw 
him making a bad use of his power ; but, when he per¬ 
ceived the design of the parliament to overturn the religion 
and the constitution of the country, he changed his side, and 
steadfastly attached himself to the crown. 8. From the be 
ginning of the civil war, his natural cheerfulness and vivacity 
forsook him ; he became melancholy, sad, pale, and negli¬ 
gent of his person, and seemed to wish for death. His 
usual cry among his friends, after a deep silence and fre¬ 
quent sighs, was, “ Peace ! peace !” He now said, upon 
the morning of the engagement, that he was weary of the 
times, and should leave them before night. He was shot 
bv a musket-ball in the chest; and his body was next morn¬ 
ing found among a heap of slain. His writings, his ele¬ 
gance, his justice, and his courage deserved each a death 
of glory ; and they found it. 

9. 'Phe king, that he might make preparations during the 
winter for the ensuing campaign, and to oppose the designs 
of the Westminster parliament, called one at Oxford ; and 
this was the first time that England saw two parliaments 
sitting at the same time. His house of peers was pretty 
full; his house of commons consisted of about one hundred 
and forty, which amounted to not above half of the other 
house of commons. From this shadow of a parliament he 
received some supplies, after which it was prorogued, and 
never after assembled. 

10. In the mean time, the parliament were equally active 
on their side. They passed an ordinance commanding all the 
inhabitants of London and its neighbourhood to retrench a 
meal a week, and to pay the value of it for the support of the 
public cause. 11. But, what was more effectual, the Scots, 
who considered their claims as similar, led a strong body to 
their assistance. They levied an army of fourteen thousand 
men in the east under the earl of Manchester; they had an 
army of ten thousand men under Essex ; another, of nearly 
the same force, under sir William Waller. These were su¬ 
perior to any force the king could bring into the field ; and 
were well appointed with ammunition, provisions, and pay 

12. Hostilities, which even during the winter season had 
never been wholly discontinued, were renewed in spring 
with their usual fury,'and served to desolate the kingdom, 
without deciding victory. A.D. 1644. Each county joined 
that side to which it was addicted from motives of convic¬ 
tion, interest, or fear, though some observed a perfect lieu- 


224 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


iralitv. Several frequently petitioned for pea n e ; and all the 
wise and good were earnest in the cry. 13. What particu¬ 
larly deserves remark was au attempt of the women of 
London, who, to the number of two or three thousand, vvem 
in a body to the house of commons, earnestly demanding a 
peace—“ Give us those traitors,” said they, “ that are 
against a peace : give them, that we may tear them to 
jiieces.” The guards found some difficulty in quelling this 
Insurrection, and one or two women lost their lives in the 
affray. 

14. The battle of Marston Moor was the beginning of the 
king's misfortunes and disgrace. 'The Scots and parlia¬ 
mentarian army had joined, and were besieging York, when 
prince Rupert, joined by the marquis of Newcastle, deter¬ 
mined to raise the siege. Both armies drew up on Marston 
Moor, to the number of fifty thousand, and the victory 
seemed long undecided between them. 15. Rupert, who 
commanded the right wing of the royalists, was opposed by 
Oliver Cromwell, who now first came into notice, at the 
head of a body of troops which he had taken care to levy 
and discipline. Cromwell was victorious; he pushed his 
opponents off the field, followed the vanquished, returned 
to a second engagement, and a second victory ; the prince’s 
whole train of artillery was taken, and the royalists never 
after recovered the blow. 

16. William Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, was sent 
to the 'Tower in the beginning of the civil war. He was 
now brought to his trial, condemned, and executed. And it 
was a melancholy consideration, that in those times of trou- 
ble, the best men on either side were those who chiefly suf¬ 
fered. 

17. 'The death of Laud was followed by a total alteration 
of the ceremonies of the church. 'The liturgy was, by a 
public act, abolished the day he died, as if he had been the 
only obstacle to its formal removal. 'The church of England 
v\as, in all respects, brought to a conformity to the puritani¬ 
cal establishment; while the citizens of London, and the 
Scots army, gave public thanks for so happy an alteration 


Questions for Examination . 

1. YVho reinforced the royal party ? 

2 What courage did the parliament display? 

4, 5. In the first campaign, where were the principal battles fougntf 

6. Dcs'.-ribe the character of Hampden 

7. Ueseribe the character of Falkland. 



CHARLES I. 


225 

? How was his death occasioned ? 

•J Where did the king summon a parliament ? and what were their pro- 
ceediirgs ? 

10 What ordinance was now passed ? 

1 l What oilier measures were taken in opposition to the king ? 

2 What was the situation of the kingdom ? 

.3 What earnest desire lor peace did the women of London discover ? 

14 15. Describe the particulars of the battle of Mars ton Moor. 

1G What was the late of archbishop Laud ? 

17 What followed his execution ? 


SECTION V. 

Guile, violence, and murder seized on man. 

And, for milky streams, with blood the rivers ran.— Thomson 

i. (A.D. 1045.) The well-disputed battle, which decided 
die fate of Charles, was fought at Naseby, a village ii? 
Northamptonshire. 'The main body of the roval army was 
commanded by lord Astley ; prince Rupert led the right 
wing, sir Marmaduke Langdale the left, and the king him¬ 
self headed the body of reserve. 2. On the opposite side, 
Fairfax and Skippon commanded the main body, Cromwell 
led on the right wing, and Ireton, his son-in-law, the left. 
Prince Rupert attacked the left wing with his usual impetu¬ 
osity and success ; they were broken, and pursued as far as 
the village ; but he lost time in attempting to make himself 
master of their artillery. 3. Cromwell, in the mean time, was 
equally successful on his side, and broke through the enemy’s 
horse, after a very obstinate resistance. While these were 
thus engaged, the infantry on both sides maintained the conflict 
with equal ardour, but in spite of the efforts of Fairfax and 
Skippon, their battalions began to give way. At this cri¬ 
tical period, Cromwell returned with his victorious forces, 
and charged the king’s infantry in flank with such vigour, 
that a total rout began to ensue. 4. By this time prince 
Rupert had rejoined the king, and the small body of reserve: 
but his troops, though victorious, could not be brought to a 
second charge. The king, perceiving the battle wholly 
lost, was obliged to abandon the field to liis enemies, who 
took all his cannon, baggage, and about fifty thousand pri¬ 
soners. 

5. The battle of Naseby put the parliamentarians in pos 
session of almost all the strong cities of the kingdom, Bris¬ 
tol, Bridgewater, Chester, Sherborn, and Bath. Exeter 
was besieged ; and all the king’s troops in the western 
counties being entirely dispersed, Fairfax pressed the piace, 
und it surrendered at discretion. The king, thus surrounded, 



226 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


harassed on every side, retreated to Oxford ; that, in all eon 
dilions of his fortune, had held steady to his cause ; and 
there he resolved to offer new terms to b : s Incensed pur¬ 
sue is. 

0. In the mean time Fairfax was approaching with a 
powerful and victorious army, and was taking the proper 
measures for laying siege to Oxford, which promised an 
easy surrender. To be taken captive, and led in triumph 
by his insolent subjects, was what Charles justly abhorred : 
and every insult and violence was to be dreaded from the 
soldiery, who had felt the effects of his opposition. 

7. In this desperate extremity he embraced a measure, 
which, in any other situation, might justly lie under the im¬ 
putation of imprudence and indiscretion. He took the fatal 
resolution of giving himself up to the Scots army, who had 
never testified such implacable animosity against him ; but 
he soon found, that instead of treating him as a king, they 
insulted him as a captive. 

8. The" English parliament, being informed of the king’s 
captivity, immediately entered into a treaty with the Scots 
about delivering up their prisoner. This was soon adjusted. 
They agreed, that upon payment of four hundred thousand 
pounds, they would deliver up the king to his enemies, and 
this was cheerfully complied with. An action so atrocious 
may be palliated, but can never bp defended ; they returned 
home laden with plunder, and the reproaches of all good 
men. 

9. The civil war was now over; the king had absolved 
his followers from their allegiance, and the parliament bad 
now no enemy to fear, except those very troops by which 
they had extended their overgrown authority. But, in pro¬ 
portion as the terror of the king’s power diminished, the 
divisions between the members which composed the parlia¬ 
ment became more apparent. 10. The majority in the house 
were of the presbyterian sect, who were for having clergy ; 
but the majority of the army were staunch independents, who 
admitted of no clergy, but thought that every man had a 
right to instruct his fellows. At the head of this sect was 
Cromwell, who secretly directed their operations, and invi¬ 
gorated all their measures. 

11. Oliver Cromwell, whose talents now began to appear 
in full lustre, was the son of a private gentleman of Hun¬ 
tingdon * but, being the son of a second brother, be inherited 
a very small paternal fortune. From accident or intrigue, 


CHARLES 1 


227 

he was cfiosen a member for the town of Cambridge in the 
long parliament; but he seemed at first to possess no ora¬ 
torical talent ; his person being ungraceful, his dress slo¬ 
venly, his elocution homely, tedious, obscure, and embai 
rassed. 12. He made up, however, by zeal and perseverance 
what he wanted in natural powers ; and being endowed with 
unshaken intrepidity, much dissimulation, and a thorough 
conviction of the rectitude of his cau^e, he rose, through the 
gradations of preferment, to the post of lieutenant-general 
under Fairfax ; but, in reality, possessing tie supreme com¬ 
mand over the whole army. 

1 The army now began to consider themselves as a 
body distinct from the commonwealth ; and complained that 
they had secured the general tranquillity, while they were 
at the same time deprived of the privileges of Englishmen. 
In opposition, therefore, to the parliament of Westminster 
a military parliament was formed, composed of the officers 
and common soldiers of each regiment. 14. The principal 
officers formed a council to represent the body of peers : 
the soldiers elected two men out of each company, to re¬ 
present the house of commons, and these were called the 
agitators of the army. Cromwell took care to be one of 
the number, and thus contrived an easy method of secretly 
conducting and promoting the sedition of the army. 

15. The unhappy king, in the mean time, continued a 

prisoner at Holmby Castle; and as his countenance might 

add some authority to that side which should obtain it, 

Cromwell, who secretly conducted all the measures of the 

•/ 

army, while he apparently exclaimed against their violence, 
resolved to seize the king’s person. 16. Accordingly, a 
party of five hundred horse appearing at Hoi mb) Castle, 
under the command of one Joyce, conducted the king to 
the army, near Cambridge. The next day Cromwell ar 
rived among them, where he was received with acclama¬ 
tions of joy, and was instantly invested with the supremo 
command. 


Questions for Examination . 

1 Where was the battle fought that decided the fate of Charles! 

Who were the leaders of the king’s array ? 

2 By whom was the parliamentary army conducted ? 

4 What was the .ssue of the battle ? 

j> What towns surrendered to the parliamentarians after this engagement > 
6. Where did the king lly for refuge ? 

* On what measure did he now resolve? 



HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


228 

8. What atrocious ai t was committed towards tne king 1 
10. Wuat wore the parties which composed the parliament f 
I! Who was Oliver Cromwell ? 

12. To what post ,n the army did he rise? 

14. In what m inner was a council formed from the army ? 

15. Where was the place of the king’s confinement? 

16 By whose command was he taken and conducted to the army 


SECTION VI. 

Though always by prosperity undone. 

Yet in adversity this monarch shone. — Egerton. 

1. (A.D. 1647.) The house of commons was now di¬ 
vided into parties, as usual; one part opposing, hut tlio 
majority, with the two speakers at their head, encouraging 
the army. In such an universal confusion, it is not to be 
expected that any thing less than a separation of the parties 
could take place : and accordingly the two speakers, with 
sixty-two members, secretly retired from the house, and 
threw themselves under the protection of the army, which 
was then at Hounslow-heath. 2. They were received with 
shouts and acclamations ; their integrity was extolled ; and 
the whole body of the soldiery, a formidable force of twenty 
thousand men, now moved forward, to reinstate them in 
their former seats and stations. 

3. In the mean time, that part of the house which was 
left behind resolved to act with vigour, and resist the en¬ 
croachments of the army. They chose new speakers, they 
gave orders for enlisting troops, they ordered the trainbands 
to man the lines, and the whole city boldly resolved to resist 
the invasion. But this resolution only held while the enemy 
was thought at a distance ; for, when the formidable force 
of Cromwell appeared, all was obedience and submission ; 
the gates were opened to the general, who attended the 
speakers, and the rest of the members, peaceably to their 
habitations. 4. The eleven impeached members, being 
accused as causers of the tumult, were expelled, and most 
of them retired to the continent. The mayor, sheriff, and 
three aldermen were sent to the Tower; several citizens 
and ollicers of the militia were committed to prison, and 
the lines about the city were levelled to the ground. The 
command of the Tower was given to Fairfax, the general ; 
pud the parliament offered him their hearty thanks for having 
djsoDeyed their commands. 

5 h now only remained to dispose of the king, who had 





CHARLES 1. 


229 


been sent by the army a prisoner to Hampton Court; from 
whence he attempted to escape, but was once more made 
prisoner in the Isle of Wight, and confined in Carisbrook 
Castle. 

6. While the king continued in this forlorn situation, the 
parliament, new modelled as it was by the army, was every 
day growing more feeble and factious. He still, therefore, 
continued to negotiate with the parliament for settling the 
unspeakable calamities of the kingdom. 'The parliament 
saw no other method of destroying the military power than 
to depress it by the kingly ; and frequent proposals for an 
accommodation passed between the captive king and the 
commons. 

7. But it was now too late : their power was soon totally 
to expire ; for the rebellious army, crowned with success 
was returned from the destruction of their enemies ; and, 
sensible of their own power, with furious remonstrances 
began to demand vengeance on their king. At the same 
time they advanced to Windsor: and sending an olficer to 
seize the king’s person, where he was lately sent under 
confinement, they conveyed him to Hurst Castle, in Hamp¬ 
shire, opposite the Isle of Wight. 8. The commons, 
however, though destitute of all hopes of prevailing, had 
still courage to resist, and attempted, in the face of the 
whole army, to close their treaty with the king. But the 
next day colonel Pride, at the head of two regiments, block¬ 
aded the house, seized in the passage forty-one members of 
the presbyterian party, and sent them to a low loom be¬ 
longing to the house, that passed by the denomination of 
hell. 9. Above a hundred and sixty members more were 
excluded ; and none were allowed to enter but the most 
furious and determined of the independents, in all not ex¬ 
ceeding sixty. This atrocious invasion of the parliamentary 
rights commonly passed by the name ot Pride’s Purge, and 
the remaining members were called the Rump. These soon 
voted that the transactions of the house a few days before 
were entirely illegal, and that their general's conduct was 
just and necessary'. 

10. A committee was appointed to bring in a charge 
against the king; and a vote passed, declaring it treason in 
a king to levy war against his parliament. A high court of 
justice was accordingly appointed, to try his majesty 7 tor 
l\ir new-invented treason. 

11. Colonel Harrison, the son of a butcher, was coru- 

IJ 


230 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


mailed to conduce the king from Hurst Castle to Windsor 
and from thence to London. His afflicted subjects, who 
ran to have a sight of their sovereign, were greatly affected 
at the cfange that appeared in his face and person. He 
had allowed his beard to grow ; his hair was become vene¬ 
rably gray, rather by the pressure of anxiety than the hand 
of time ; while his apparel bore the marks of misfortune 
and decay. 12. Thus he stood a solitary figure of majesty 
in distress, which even his adversaries could not behold 
without reverence and compassion. He had been long at¬ 
tended only by an old decrepid servant, whose name was 
sir Philip Warwick, who could only deplore his master’s 
fate, without being able to revenge his cause. 13. All the 
exterior symbols of sovereignty were now withdrawn; and 
his new attendants had orders to serve him without cere¬ 
mony. 'Phe duke of Hamilton, who was reserved for me 
same punishment with his master, having leave to take a 
last farewell as he departed from Windsor, threw himself at 
the king’s feet, crying out, “ My dear master !” 14. The 

unhappy monarch raised him up, and embracing him ten¬ 
derly, replied, while tears ran down his cheeks, “ 1 have 
indeed been a dear master to you.” These were severe 
distresses; however he could not be persuaded that his am 
versaries would bring him to a formal trial; but he every 
moment expected to be despatched by private assassination. 

15. From the sixth to the twentieth of January was spent 
in making preparations for this extraordinary trial. The 
court of justice consisted of a hundred and thirty-three 
persons, named by the commons: but of these never above 
seventy sat upon the trial. 'Pile members were chiefly 
composed of the principal officers of the army, most of 
them of very mean birth, together with some of the iower 
house, and a few citizens of London. Bradshaw, a lawyer, 
was chosen president; Coke was appointed solicitor for the 
people of Eng.and; Dorislaus, Steele, and Aske wen. 
named assistants. 'Phe court sat in Westminster-hall. 

16. 'Phe king was now conducted from Windsor to St. 
James’s, and the next day was brought before the high 
r urt to take his trial. When he was brought forward 
he was conducted by the mace-bearer to a chair placed 
within the bar. Though long detained a prisoner, and now 
produced as a criminal, he still sustained the dignity of a 
king; he surveyed the members of the court with a stern 
and haughty air; and, without moving his hat, sat down, 


CHARLES I. 


231 


while the members also were covered. 17. His charge was 
then read by the solicitor, accusing him of having been the 
cause of all the bloodshed which followed since the com¬ 
mencement of the war: at that part of the charge he could 
not suppress a smile of contempt and indignation. Alter 
bis charge was finished, Bradshaw directed his discourse to 
the king, and told him that the court expected his answer. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 What measures were pursued by the majority of the house of commons l 

2 How were they received by the army ? 

2 Wiiat w«:s the conduct of the remaining members? 

4. To whom was the command of the Tower given? 

5. Did not the king escape from his place of confinement ? 

Where was he taken? 

6. Did he continue to negotiate with the parliament? 

7—9. Describe the conduct of tbe army on this occasion, 
il, 12. What w^as now the appearance of the king? 
i3. What passed between him and the duke of Hamilton? 

15. How many persons sat on the king’s trial ? 

16. Who were the chief? 

17. What was his behaviour on his trial ? 

What was the charge alleged against him ? 


SECTION VII. 

Nor agonies, nor livid death, disgrace 
The sacred features of the monarch's face; 

In the cold visage, mournfully serene, 

The 'ame indignant majesty is seen.— Rowe's Lucan. 

1. (A. D. 1648.) The king, with great temper, entered 
upon bis defence, by denying the authority of tbe court. 
He repressed, that, having been engaged in a treaty with 
his two houses of parliament, and having finished almost 
every article, he expected a different treatment from that 
which he now received. He perceived, he said, no appear¬ 
ance of an upper house, which was necessary to constitute 
a just tribunal. 2. That he was himself the king and the 
fountain of law, and, consequently, could not be tried by 
laws to which he had never given his assent; that having 
been intrusted with the liberties of the people, he would 
not now betray them, by recognising a power founded m 
usurpation ; that he was willing, before a proper tribunal, 
to enter into the particulars of his defence ; but that before 
diem he must decline any apology or plea of innocence, 
lest he should be considered as the betrayer of, and not a 
martyr for, the constitution. 

3 / B'-aushavv, in order to support the authority of the 




232 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


court, insisted that they had received their power from the 
people, the source of all right. He pressed the prisoner 
not to decline the authority of the court, which was dele¬ 
gated by the commons of England; and lie interrupted and 
overruled the kinv in his attempts to reply. 

4 In this manner the king was three times produced be¬ 
fore the court, and as often he persisted in declining its 
jurisdiction. The fourth and last time he was brought be¬ 
fore the self-created tribunal; as he was proceeding thither, 
he was insulted by the soldiers and the mob, who exclaimed, 
“Justice! justice! execution! execution!” but he con¬ 
tinued undaunted. His judges, having now examined some 
witnesses, by whom it was proved that the king had ap¬ 
peared in arms against the forces commissioned by parlia¬ 
ment, pronounced sentence against him. 

5. The conduct of the king, under all these instances of 
low-bred malice, was great, firm, and equal; in going through 
the hall, the soldiers and the rabble were again instigated to 
cry out, “Justice and execution !” They reviled him with 
the most bitter reproaches. Among other insults, one mis¬ 
creant presumed to spit in the face of his sovereign. He 
patiently bore their insolence. “ Poor souls,” cried he, 
“ they would treat their generals in the same manner for 
sixpence.” 6. 'Those of the populace who still retained 
the feelings of humanity, expressed their sorrow in sighs 
and tears. A soldier, more compassionate than the rest, 
could not help imploring a blessing upon his royal head 
An officer, overhearing him, struck the honest sentinel to 
the ground before the king, who could not help saying that 
the punishment exceeded the offence. 

7. After returning from this solemn mockery of justice, 
the unhappy monarch petitioned the house for permission 
to see his children, and desired the attendance of I)r. Juxon 
bishop of London, to assist in his private devotions. Both 
requests were immediately granted, and three days were 
allowed to prepare for the execution of the sentence. This 
interval was spent by Charles in the exercises of devotion, 
and in administering consolation to his unhappy family. 
8 . During the progress of the trial, the French and Dutch 
ambassadors vainly interceded in his behalf; and the Scots, 
who had set the first example of resistance to his authority 
now remonstrated against the violence offered to his person 
and dignity. 9. After his condemnation, the queen and the 
prince of Wales wrote the most pathetic letters to the pat- 



CHARLES 1. 


23 



ExecotioD of King Charles I. 1649. 


iiament, hut nothing could divert the stern regicides from 
their atrocious design. 

10. The king was confined in the palace of St. James’s- 
hut the place selected for erecting the scaffold was the 
street before the palace of Whitehall. 11. On the morning 
of the execution he rose early, and having spent some time 
in private devotion, received the sacrament from the hands 
of bishop Juxon ; he was then conducted on foot through 
the park to Whitehall, and partook of some slight refresh¬ 
ment; after a brief delay, he advanced to the place of execu¬ 
tion, attended still by his friend and servant Dr. Juxon, who 
used every exertion to soothe the last moments of his unfor¬ 
tunate master. 12. The scaffold, which was covered with 
black, was guarded by a regiment of soldiers, under the 
command of colonel Tomlinson, and under it were to be 
seen a block, the axe, and two executioners in masks. The 
people, in immense crowds, stood at a* great distance, in 
dreadful expectation of the event. The king surveyed all 
these solemn preparations with calm composure; and as ho 
could not expect to be heard by the people at a distance, he 
addressed himself to the few persons who stood around him, 
13. He there justified his own innocence in the late fatal 
war : and observed, that he had not taken arms till after the 
parliament had shown him the example. That he had no 
other object in his warlike preparations than to preserve that 
authority entire, which had been transmitted to him by his 
ancestors; but, though innocent towards his people, he 

u 2 





























234 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


acknowledged the equity of his execution in the eyes of his 
Maker. 14. He owned that he was justly punished for 
having consented to the execution of an unjust sentence 
upon the earl of Stratford. He forgave all his enemies ; 
exhorted the people to return to their obedience, and ac¬ 
knowledge his son as his successor ; and signed his attach¬ 
ment to the protestant religion, as professed in the church of 
England. So strong was the impression his dying words 
made upon the few who could hear him, that colonel Tom¬ 
linson himself, to whose care he had been committed, ac- 
knowledged himself a convert. 

If While he was preparing himself for the block, bishop 
Juxon called out to him, “There is, sir, but one stage more 
which, though turbulent and troublesome, is yet a very shorl 
one. It will soon carry you a great way. It will carry 
you from earth to heaven, and there you shall find, to your 
great joy, the prize to which you hasten, a crown of glory.” 
10. “I go,” replied the king, “ from a corruptible to an 
incorruptible crown, where no disturbance can have place. * 
—“ You exchange,” replied the bishop, “a temporal for an 
eternal crown ; a good exchange !” Charles, having taken 
off his cloak, delivered his George to the prelate, pronounc¬ 
ing the word “ Remember !” Then he laid his neck on the 
block, and, stretching out his hands as a signal, one of the 
executioners severed his head from his body at a blow ; 
while the other, holding it up, exclaimed, “This is the 
head of a traitor !” 17. The spectators testified their horror 

of the sad spectacle in sighs, tears, and lamentations ; the 
tide of their duty and affection began to return ; and each 
blamed himself either with active disloyalty to his king, or 
a passive compliance with his destroyers. 

18. Charles was executed in the forty-ninth year of his 
age, and the twenty-fourth of his reign. He was of a mid¬ 
dle stature, robust, and well-proportioned. His visage was 
pleasing, but melancholy : and it is probable that the con¬ 
tinued troubles in which he was involved might have made 
that impression on his countenance. As for Isis character, 
the reader will deduce it, with more precision and satisfac¬ 
tion to himself, from the detail of his conduct, than from any 
summary given of it by the historian. 


TIIE COMMONWEALTH. 


235 


Questions for Examination. 

1 2 What did the king urge in his defence ? 
i What was the answer of Bradshaw ? 

4. Whal treatment did he receive from the soldiers? 

f>. With what patience did he bear their reproaches? and what was hia re¬ 
mark ’ 

7, 9 What followed the king’s condemnation? 

9 10 What s|>ot was chosen as ihe place of the king’s execution ? 

12 What preparations were made for his tri 1 ? 

13 14. What did he say in his address to the people ? 

15 It). What conversation passed between the king and bishop Juxon? 

17 What effect had his execution on the minds of the people? 

18. How long did Charles reign? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

a.d. 

Urban VIII. 1623 

Innocent X. 1644 

Emperors of Germany. 

Ferdinand II. 1619 

Ferdinand III. 1637 


Emperors of the Turks. 


Amurath IV. . .. 

A. I). 

.. 1623 

Ibrahim. 

. . 1649 

Mahomet IV.... 

.. 1649 

Kings of France. 

Lotus XIII. 

.. 1620 


Louis XIV. 1643 


King of Spain and 
Portugal. 

A.D 

Philip IV. 1621 


Portugal alone. 
John IV. 1640 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Archbishop Laud. Earl of Strafford. John Hampden. Lucius Cary, lord 
Falkland. Ilarrv Cary, lord Falkland H. Montague, earl of Manchester 
R. Greville, lord Brooke. Lord-keeper Littleton. Arthur, lord Capel. Lord 
Edward Herbert, of Cherbury. G. Stanley, earl of Derby. J. Digby, ear? 
of Bristol. Ulieke de Burgh, marquis of Clanricarde, and earl of St. Albans 
Henry Carey, earl of Monmouth. Mildmay Fane, earl of Westmoreland. K 
Somerset, marquis of Worcester 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

OLIVER CROMWELL. 

Born 1599 Died September 3, 1658. Became lord protector December 16, 1G53. 

ttuled 4$ years. 

THE COMMONWEALTH. 

SECTION I. 

Though cunning, bold, and though intrepid, sage.— Rgerton , 

1. (A. D. 1649.) Cromwell, who had secretly solicited 
aid contrived the king’s death, now began to feel wishes 
to which he had been hitherto a stranger. His prospects 
widening as he rose, his first principles of liberty were 

* The Portuguese shook off the Spanish yoke, and elected John, duke of Bra- 
gonza, their king 























HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


236 

all lost in the unbounded stretch of power that lay before 
him. 

2. Having been appointed to command the army in Ire¬ 
land, he prosecuted the war in that kingdom with his usual 
success He had to combat against the royalists, com¬ 
manded by T the duke of Ormond, and the native Irish, led on 
by O’Neil. But such ill-connected and barbarous troops 
could give very little opposition to Cromwell’s more nu¬ 
merous forces, conducted by such a general, and emboldened 
b\ r long success. He soon overran the whole country; 
and, after some time, all the towns revolted in his favour, 
and opened their gates at his approach. 3. But, in these 
conquests, as in all the rest of his actions, there appeared a 
brutal ferocity, that would tarnish the most heroic valour. 
In order to intimidate the natives from defending their 
towns, he, with a barbarous policy, put every garrison that 
made any resistance to the sword. 

4. After his return to England, upon taking his seat, he 
received the thanks of the house, by the mouth of the 
speaker, for the seivices he had done the commonwealth in 
Ireland. They then proceeded to deliberate upor choosing 
a general for conducting the war in Scotland, where they 
had espoused the royal cause, and placed young Charles, 
the son of their late monarch, on the throne. Fairfax re¬ 
fusing this command upon principle, as he had all along 
declined opposing the presbyterians, the command necessa¬ 
rily devolved upon Cromwell, who boldly set forward for 
Scotland, at the head of an army of sixteen thousand men. 

5. The Scots, in the mean time, who had invited over 
their wretched king to be a prisoner, not a ruler among them, 
prepared to meet the invasion. A.D. 1650. A battle soon 
ensued, in which they, though double the number of the 
English, were soon put to flight, and pursued with great 
slaughter, while Cromwell did not lose above forty men 
in all. 

6. In this terrible exigence young Charles embraced a 
resolution worthy a prince who was willing to hazard all 
for empire. Observing that the way was open to England, 
he resolved immediately to march into that country, where 
he exppcted to be reinforced by all the royalists in that part 
of the kingdom. 

7. But he soon found himself disappointed in the expec* 
lation of increasing his army. The Scots, terrified at the 
prospect of so hazardous an enterprise, fell from him in great 


THE COMMONWEALTH. 


237 

numbers The English, affrighted at the name of his op¬ 
ponent, dreaded to join him ; but his mortifications were 
Btill more increased as he arrived at Worcester, when in¬ 
formed that Cromwell was marching with hasty strides from 
Scotland, with an army increased to forty thousand men. 

8. The news had scarcely arrived, when that active general 
himself appeared ; and, falling upon the town on all sides, 
broke in upon the disordered royalists. The streets were 
strewed with slaughter : the whole Scots army were either 
killed or taken prisoners ; and the king himself, having 
given many proofs of personal valour, was obliged to fly. 

9. Imagination can scarcely conceive adventures more 
romantic, or distress more severe, than those which at¬ 
tended the young king’s flight from the scene of slaughter. 
After various escapes, and one-and-forty days concealment, 
he landed safely at Feschamp, in Normandy ; no less than 
forty men and women having, at different times, been privy 
to his escape. 

10 . The particulars of Charles’s escape, after the battle 
of Worcester, are truly interesting. He left the fatal scene 
of action, accompanied by the duke of Buckingham, the 
earls of Derby and Lauderdale, the lords Talbot, Wilmot, 
and fifty horse, and, without halting, arrived at Whiteladies, 
twenty-five miles from Worcester, at five o’clock in the 
morning. There he thought it best for his safety to separate 
from his companions, and, without intrusting them with his 
intentions, he went to Boscobel, a lone house in Staffordshire, 
inhabited by one Penderell, a farmer, whose fidelity remained 
unshaken, though death was denounced against all who con¬ 
cealed the king, and a great reward promised to any one 
who should betray him. Pendereii, and his four brothers, 
having clothed the king in a garb like their own, led him 
into the neighbouring wood, put a bill into his hand, and em¬ 
ployed themselves in cutting faggots with him. For better 
concealment he mounted upon an oak, where he sheltered 
himself among tne branches and leaves for twenty-four 
hours. There he saw several soldiers passing in search of 
him. This tree was afterwards called the royal oak, and for 
many years was regarded by the neighbourhood with great 
veneration. Thence he passed with imminent danger from 
one cottage to another, feeling all the varieties of famine 
fatigue and pain, till he reached the house of Mr. Lane, a 
gentleman of good reputation and fortune in Staffordshire. 
In this station the king remained many days in quiet and 


239 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


security Thence he went to one of Mr. Lane’s relations* 
within five miles of Bristol, where he intended to embark 
but finding that no ship was to sail for a month from that 
place, he was obliged to go elsewhere lor a passage, at d 
escaped from being discovered and arrested at Lyme, only 
by a lew minutes. Charles passed through many other 
adventures, assumed different disguises, in every step was 
exposed to imminent dangers, and received daily proofs of 
imcorrupted fidelity. A little bark was at last found at 
Brighthelmstone, (at that time a small fishing-town in Sussex 
but now a place of considerable magnitude and opulence,) 
where his majesty embarked, and arrived safely at bres- 
champ, in Normandy, October 22d. 

11. In the mean time, Cromwell, crowned with success, 
returned in triumph to London, where he was met by the 
speaker of the house, accompanied by the mayor ol London, 
and the magistrates, in all their formalities. His first care 
was to take advantage of his late success, by depressing the 
Scots, who had so lately withstood the work of the gospel, 
as he called it. 12. An act was passed for abolishing roy¬ 
alty in Scotland, and annexing that kingdom, as a conquered 
province, to the English commonwealth. It was empow¬ 
ered, however, to send some members to the English par¬ 
liament. Judges were appointed to distribute justice, and 
the people of that country, now freed from the tyranny of 
the ecclesiastics, were not much dissatisfied with their pre¬ 
sent government. The prudent conduct of Monk, who was 
left by Cromwell to complete their subjection, served much 
to reconcile the minds of the people, harassed with dissen¬ 
sions, of which they never well understood the cause. 

13. In this manner, the English parliament, by the means 
of Cromwell, spread their uncontested authority over all the 
British dominions. Ireland was totally subdued by I reton 
and Ludlow. All the settlements in America, that had de¬ 
clared for the royal cause, were obliged to submit; Jersey. 
Guernsey, Sc.illy, and the Isle of Man, were brought easily 
under subjection. Thus mankind saw, with astonishment 
a parliament composed of sixty or seventy obscure and illi¬ 
terate members governing a great empire with unanimity 
and success. 14. Without any acknowledged subordination 
except a council of state, consisting of thirty-eight, to whom 
all addresses were made, they levied armies, maintained 
fleets, and gave laws to the neighbouring powers of Europe 
15. The finances were managed with economy and exact* 


THE COM MONWEATLH 


239 


ness Few private persons became rich by the plunder of 
ihe public : the revenues of the crown, the lands of the 
bishops, and a tax of a hundred and twenty thousand pounds 
each month, supplied the wants of the government and 
gave vigour to all their proceedings. 


Questions for Examination . 

1. Whal was the nature of Cromwell’s ambition? 

2. What success attended him in Ireland? 

3. What cruelty tarnished his victories? 

4. Whom did the parliament appoint to the command of the army 

against Scotland ? 

5. What was Cromwell’s success? 

S. What resolution did prince Charles embrace? 

7. What news did the prince receive at Worcester? 

8. What was the result of his undertaking ? 

9. What were his sufferings? and how did he escape ? 

}0. Mention more particularly the incidents of this escape. 

11. What was Cromwell’s first care alter his return? 

12. What act was now passed respecting Scotland? 

13—15. What was the state of the British empire at this time ? 


SECTION II. 

An evil soul, producing holy writ. 

Is like a villain with a smiling cheek ; 

A goodly apple ruiien ai the core. — Sliakspeare. 

1. (A. D. 1652.) The parliament, having thus reduced 
their native dominions to perfect obedience, next resolved 
to chastise the Dutch, who had given but very slight cause 
of complaint. It happened that one doctor Dotislaus, who 
was of the number of the late king’s judges, being sent by 
the parliament as their envoy to Holland, was assassinated 
by one of the royal party, who had taken refuge there. 
2. Some time after, also, Mr. St. John, appointed their 
ambassador to that court, was insulted by the friends of the 
prince of Orange. These were thought motives sufficient 
to induce the commonwealth of England to declare war 
against them. The parliament’s chief dependence lay in 
the activity and courage of Blake, their admiral ; who, 
though he had not embarked in naval command till late in 
|ile, vet surpassed all that went before him in courage and 
dexterity. 3 On the other side, the Dutch opposed to him 




240 HISTORY OF ESfGI AND. 

their famous admiral Van Tromp, to whom they have never 
sincc produced an equal. Many were tne engagements he 
tween these celebrated admirals, and various was their suc¬ 
cess. Sea-fights, in general, seldom prove decisive; and 
the vanquished are soon seen to make head against the 
victor. Several dreadful encounters, therefore, rather served 
to show the excellence of the admirals, than to determine 
their superiority. 4. The Dutch, however, who felt many 
great disadvantages by the loss of their trade, and by the 
total suspension of their fisheries, were willing to treat for 
a peace ; but the parliament gave them a very unfavourable 
answer. It was the policy of that body to keep their navy 
on foot as long as they could ; rightly judging, that, while 
the force of the nation was exerting by sea, it would di¬ 
minish the power of general Cromwell by land, which was 
become very formidable to them. 

5. This great aspirer, however, quickly perceived their 
designs; and, from the first, saw that thev dreaded his 
growing power, and wished its diminution. All his mea¬ 
sures were conducted with a bold intrepidity that marked 
his character, and he now saw that it was not necessary to 
wear the mask of subordination any longer. Secure, there¬ 
fore, in the attachment of the army, he resolved to make 
another daring effort; and persuaded the officers to present 
a petition for payment of arrears and redress of grievances 
which he knew would be rejected by the commons with 
disdain. 6. The petition was soon drawn up and pre¬ 
sented, in which the officers, after demanding their arrears 
desired the parliament to consider how many years they 
had sat; and what professions they had formerly made of 
their intentions to new-model the house, and establish free¬ 
dom on the broadest basis. 

7 The nouse was highly offended at the presumption of 
the army, although they had seen, but too lately, that their 
own power was wholly founded on that very presumption. 
They appointed a committee to prepare an act ordaining 
that all persons who presented such petitions for the future 
should be deemed guilty of high-treason. To this the offi¬ 
cers made a very warm remonstrance, and the parliament 
as angry a reply ; while the breach between them every 
moment grew wider. 8. This was what Cromwell had 
long wished, and had long foreseen. lie was sitting in the 
council with his officers, when informed of the subject on 
which the house was deliberating; upon which he rose up, 


-THE COMMON WI'A LTH. 


211 



Cromwell dismissing the parliament. 


in the most seeming fury, and turning to major Vernon, he 
cried out, that lie was compelled to do a thing that made 
the very hairs of his head stand on end. 9. Then hasten¬ 
ing to the house with three hundred soldiers, and with the 
marks of violent indignation on his countenance, he entered 
Stamping with his foot, which was the signal for the soldiers 
to enter, the place was immediately filled with armed men. 
Then addressing himself to the members : “ For shame,” 
said he, “ get you gone. Give place to honester men ; to 
those who will more faithfully discharge their trust. 10. You 
are no longer a parliament: I tell you, you are no longer a 
parliament: the Lord has done with you.” Sir Harrv 
Vane exclaiming against this conduct: “ Sir Harry,” cried 
Cromwell, with a loud voice, “ O ! sir Harry Vane, the 
Lord deliver me from sir Harry Vane.” He then, in the 
coarsest and most violent manner, reproached many of the 
members, by name, with their vices. “ It is you,” con¬ 
tinued he, “ that have forced me upon this. 11. 1 haw 
sought tk? Lord night and day, that he would rather slay 
me than pet me upon this work.” 'Then pointing to (he 
mice, “Take away,” cried he, “that bauble.” After 
which, turning out all the members, and clearing the hall, 
he ordered the doors to be locked, and, putting the key in 
his pocket, returned to Whitehall. 

12. The persons selected for his next parliament were 
the lowest, meanest, and the most ignorant among the citi- 

X 



































242 


niSTORY OF ENGLAND. 


zens, and the very dregs of the fanatics. He was well ap¬ 
prized, that, during the administration of such a group of 
characters, he alone must govern, or that they must soon 
throw up tire reins of government, which they were unqua¬ 
lified to guide. Accordingly, their practice justified his sa¬ 
gacity. One of them particularly, who was called Praise 
Uod Barebone, a canting leather seder, gave his name 1o 
his odd assembly, and it was called Barebone’s parliament. 

15. 'The very vulgar now began to exclaim against so 
foolish a legislature ; and they themselves seemed not insen¬ 
sible of the ridicule which every day was thrown out against 
them. Accordingly, by concert, they met earlier than the 
rest of their fraternity, and observing to each other that this 
parliament had sat long enough, they hastened to Crom¬ 
well, with Rouse their speaker at their head, and into his 
hands they resigned the authority with which he had invest¬ 
ed them. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 What circumstances produced a vvar with the Dutch ? 

2 On what admiral did the English place their chief dependence 
3. To whom was Blake opposed ? 

4 What was the result of the war ? 

ft. What petition did Cromwell persuade the officers to present ? 

7. In what manner did the parliament receive the petition? 

7—11. Relate the particulars of this dispute, and its result. 

!2. Of whom was the next parliament composed? and what was it called 
13 To whom did they resign their authority ? 


SECTION III. 

Established violence anil lawless might. 

Avowed and hallowed by the name of right.— Rowe's Lucan. 

1. (A.H. 1653.) Cromwell accepted their resignation 
with pleasure ; but being told that some of the members 
were refractory he sent colonel White to clear the bouse 
ol such as ventured to remain there. They had placed one 
[Moyer in the chair by the time that the colonel had arrived , 
and being asked by the colonel what they did there, Moyer 
replied very gravely, that they were seeking the Lord 

Then may you go elsewhere,” cried White ; 4 for to my 
sertain knowledge, the Lord has not been here these many 
years.” 

2. This shadow of a parliament being dissolved, the ofTi- 
aers, by then own authority, declared Cromwell protectoi 




THE COMMON WEALTH. 


243 


of the commonwealth of England. lie was to be addressed 
by the title of highness ; and his power was proclaimed in 
London, and other parts of the kingdom. Thus an obscure 
and vulgar man, at the age of fifty-three, rose to unbounded 
power : first by following small events in his favour, and at 
length by directing great ones. 

3. Ciomwell chose his council from among his officers, 
who had been the companions of his dangers and his victo¬ 
ries, to each of whom he assigned a pension of one thousand 
pounds a year. He took care to have his troops, upon 
whose fidelity he depended for support, paid a month in ad¬ 
vance ; the magazines were also well provided, and the 
public treasure managed with frugality and care ; while his 
activity, vigilance, and resolution were such, that he disco¬ 
vered every conspiracy against his person, and every plot 
for an insurrection, before they took effect. 

4. His management of foreign affairs, though his schemes 
were by nv means political, yet well corresponded with his 
character, and lor a while were attended with success. 'The 
Dutch, having been humbled by repeated defeats, and totally 
abridged of their commercial concerns, were obliged at last 
to sue for peace, which he gave them upon terms rather too 
favourable. 5. He insisted upon their paying deference to 
the British flag; he compelled them to abandon the interest 
of the king, and to pay eighty-five thousand pounds, as an 
indemnification for former expenses ; and to restore the 
English East India Company a part of those dominions of 
which they had been dispossessed by the Dutch, during the 
former reign, in that distant part ol the world. 

6. He was not less successful in his negotiation with the 
court of France. Cardinal Mazarin, by whom the affaira 
of that kingdom were conducted, deemed it necessary to pay 
deference to the protector ; and desirous rather to prevail by 
dexterity than violence, submitted to Cromwell's imperious 
character, and thus procured ends equally beneficial to both. 

7. The court of Spain was not less assiduous in its endea¬ 
vours to gain his friendship, but was not so successful. 
This vast monarchy, which, but a few years before, hid 
threatened the liberties of Europe, was now reduced so low 
as to be scarcely able to defend itself. Cromwell, however, 
who knew nothing of foreign politics, still contim ed to re¬ 
gard its power with an eye of jealousy, and came into an 
association with France to depress it still more. 8. He lent 
that court a body of six thousand men to attack the Spanish 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


!>4 4 

dominions in the Netherlands ; and, upon obtaining a signal 
victory by his assistance at Dunes, the French put Dunkirk, 
which they had just taken from the Spaniards, into his 
hands, as a reward for his attachment. 

9. But it was by sea that he humbled tin power of Spain 
with still more effectual siu cess. Blake, who had long 
made himself formidable to the Dutch, and whose fame was 
spread over Europe, now became still more dreadful to the 
Spanish monarchy. He sailed with a fleet into the Medi- 
erranean, whither, since the time of the crusades, no Eng¬ 
lish fleet had ever ventured to advance. He there conouered 
all that dared to oppose him. 10. Casting anchor before 
Leghorn, he demanded and obtained satisfaction for some 
injuries which the English commerce had suffered f r om the 
duke of Tuscany. He next sailed to Algiers, and compel¬ 
led the dey to make peace, and to restrain his piratical sub* 
jects from further injuring the English. 11. A.D. 1655. 
lie then went to Tunis, and having made the same demands, 
was desired by the dey of that place to look at the two cas¬ 
tles, Porto Farino and Goletta, and do his utmost. Blake 
showed him that he was not slow in accepting the challenge ; 
entered that harbour, burned the shipping there, and then 
sailed out triumphantly to pursue his voyage. At Cadiz he 
took two galleons, valued at nearly two millions of dollars. 
12. At the Canaries he burned a Spanish fleet of six¬ 
teen ships ; and returning home to England, to enjoy the 
fame of his noble actions, as he came within sight of his na¬ 
tive country he expired. This gallant man, though he fought 
for an usurper, was yet adverse to his cause ; he was a zeal¬ 
ous republican in principle, and his aim was to serve his 
country, not to establish a tyrant. “ It is still our duty,’ 
he would say to the seamen, “ to fight for our country, into 
whatever hands the government may fall.” 

13 At the same time that Blake’s expeditions were going 
forward, there was another carried on under the command 
of admirals Penn and Venables, with about four thousand 
iand forces, to attack the island of Hispaniola. Failing, how¬ 
ever, in this, and being driven off the place by the Spa¬ 
niards, they steered to Jamaica, which was surrendered to 
them without a blow. So little was thought of the import¬ 
ance of this conquest, that upon the return of the expedition, 
Penn and Venables were sent to the Tower, for their failure 
in the principal object of their expedition. 

14 But it must not be supposed that Cromwell’s situation 


THE COMMONWEALTH. 


245 


% jc s at that time enviable. Perhaps no situation, however 
mean or loaded with contempt, could be more truly distress¬ 
ing than his, at the time the nation were loading him with 
congratulations and addresses. He had by this time render¬ 
ed himself hateful to every party ; and he owed his safety 
to their mutual hatred and diffidence of each other. 15. IPs 
aits of dissimulation had been long exhausted ; none coi..J 
now be deceived by them, those of his own paity and prin¬ 
ciples disdained the use to which he had converted his zeal 
and professions. The truth seems to be, if we may use 
the phrase taken from common life, he had begun with being 
a dupe to his own enthusiasm, and ended with being a 
sharper. 

1 6. 'The whole nation silently detested his administration , 
but he had not still been reduced to the extreme of wretch 
edncss, if he could have found domestic consolation. Fleet- 
wood, his son-in-law, actuated with the wildest zeal, detest¬ 
ed that character which could use religious professions for 
the purposes of temporal advancement. 17. His eldest 
daughter, married to Fleetwood, had adopted republican 
principles so vehemently, that she could not behold even 
her own father intrusted with uncontrollable power. His 
other daughters were no less sanguine in favour of the roval 
cause ; but, above all, Mrs. Claypole, his favourite daughter, 
upon her death-bed, upbraided him with all those crimes that 
had led him to trample on the throne. 

In. Every hour added some new disquietude. Lord 
Fairfax, sir William Waller, and many of the heads of the 
piesbyterians, had secretly entered into an engagement to 
destroy him. His administration, so expensive both at home 
and abroad, had exhausted his revenue, and he was left con¬ 
siderably in debt. 111. One conspiracy was no sooner de¬ 
tected. than another rose from its ruins ; and, to increase the 
calamity, he was now taught, upon reasoning principles, that 
his death was not only desirable, but his assassination would 
be meritorious. A book was published by colonel Titus, a 
man who had formerly been attached to ids cause, entitled 
“ Killing no Murder.” 20. 01 all the pamj Idets that came 
forth at that time, or perhaps of those that have since ap¬ 
peared, this was the most eloquent and masterly. “ Shall 
we,” said this popular declaimer, “ who would not sulfcr 
the lion to invade us, tamely stand to be devoured bv the 
wolf?” Cromwell read this spirited treatise, and was never 
seen to smile more. 

x 2 


246 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Questions for Examination. 

I. Mention what followed the resignation of this parliament. 

2 Wiint important events succeeded l 

i*--5. What were the tirst acts of Cromwell ? 

f>,In what maimer did he act towards France and Spain? 

y--l*2. Relate the bold and successful enterprise of admiral Blake 

13 What other admirals did Cromwell employ ? and with what success 

14, 15 What was Cromwell's situation at this time ? 

lb 17. What were iiis domestic troubles? 

IN Who entered into an engagement to destroy him ? 

1° V 1 at effect had the pamphlet written by colonel Titus on him ? 


SECTION IV. 


He left a name at which the world grew pate. 

To point a moral or adorn a tale. — Johnson. 

1. (A D. 1658.) All peace was now for ever banished 
from his mind ; am! he found, that the grandeur to which 
he had sacrificed his former peace was only an inlet to fresh 
inquietudes. The fears of assassination haunted him in all 
his walks, and were perpetuallv present in his imagination, 
He wore armour under his clothes, and always kept pistols 
in his pockets. 2. His aspect was clouded by a settled 
gloom ; and he regarded every stranger with a glance of 
timid suspicion. He always travelled with hurry, and was 
ever attended by a numerous guard. He never returned 
from any place by the road he went; and seldom slept above 
three nights together in the same chamber. Society terrified 
him, as there he might meet an enemy ; solitude was terre 
ble, as he was there unguarded by every friend. 

3. A tertian ague came kindly at last to deliver him from 
this life of horror and anxiety. For the space of a week no 
dangerous symptoms appeared ; and in the intervals of the 
fits he was able to walk abroad. At length the fever in¬ 
creased, and he became delirious. He was just able to an¬ 
swer yes to the demand, whether his son Richard should be 
appointed to succeed him. He died on the third day of 
September, the very day which he had always considered 
as the most fortunate of his life; he was then fifty-nine years 
old, and had usurped the government nine years. 

4. Whatever might have been the difference of interests 
after the deatli of the usurper, the influence of his name was 
«ffill sufficient to get Richard, his son, proclaimed protector 
in his room. But the army, discontented with such a lead¬ 
er, established a meeting at General Fleetwood’s, which, as 
he dwelt at Wallingford-house, was called the cabal of Wal- 



THE COMMONWEALTH 


247 


lingfbrd. The result of their deliberation was a remonstrance, 
that the command of the army should be instrusled to some 
person iri whom they might all confide; and it was plainly 
given to understand, that the young protector was not that 

person 

5. Richard wanted resolution to defend the title .that nad 
been conferred upon him; he soon signed his own abdica¬ 
tion in form, and retired to live, several years after his re¬ 
signation, at first on the continent, and afterwards upon his 
paternal fortune at home. He was thought by the ignorant 
to be unworthy the happiness of his exaltation; but he 
knew, by his tranquillity in private, that he had made the 
most fortunate exchange. 

While Richard Cromwell was on his travels, under an as¬ 
sumed name, he was introduced to the prince of Conti, who, 
talking of England, broke out into admiration of Cromwell’s 
courage and capacity : “ But as for that poor pitiful fellow, 
Richard,” said he, “ what has become of him ? How could 
he be such a blockhead as to reap no greater benefit from all 
his father’s crimes and successes?” We have, however, 
abundant proof that Richard was fonder of the social virtues 
than of noisy fame, and justly appreciated the calm enjoy¬ 
ments of retirement. When, on assuming the Protectorship, 
one of his adherents pressed him to exert more vigour against 
the royalists, he said, “ 1 positively forbid shedding the blood 
of a single man in my cause. 1 would rather relinquish the 
post I hold, than proceed to such unwarrantable extremities. 
1 wash to retain my situation no longer than shall be consist¬ 
ent with the public good, and the wishes of those I govern.” 
Mis peaceful and quiet life extended to the age of 66; and 
he died in the year 1712, at the latter end of queen Anne’s 
reign. 

6. The officers, being once more left to themselves, de- 

' L» m 

termined to replace the remnant of the old parliament which 
had beheaded the king, and which Cromwell had so digrace- 
fully turned out of the h use. 

7. The rump parliament, for that was the name it went 
bv, being now reinstated, was yet very vigorous in its at¬ 
tempts to lessen the power by which it was replaced. 'The 
officers of the army, therefore, came to a resolution usual 
enough in those times, to dissolve that assembly by whicn 
they were so vehemently opposed. 8. Accordingly, Lam* 
Dert, one of the generals, drew up a chosen body of troops 
and placing them in the streets which led to Westminister- 


248 


HISTORY OF ETVGLATVD. 


nail, when the speaker, Lenthall, proceeded in his carriage to 
the house, he ordered the horses to be turned, and very civiily 
conducted him home. The other members were likewise in* 
tercepted, and the army returned to their quarters to observe 
a solemn feast, which generally either preceded or attended 
their outrages. 

9. During these transactions, general Monk was at the 
head of eight thousand veterans in Scotland, and beheld the 
distraction of his native country with but slender hopes of 
relieving it. 

10. Whatever might have been his designs, it was impose 
si jle to cover them with greater secrecy than he did. As 
soon as he put his army in motion, to inquire into the cause 
of the disturbances in the capital, his countenance was 
eagerly sought by all the contending parties. He still, how¬ 
ever, continued to march his army towards the capital ; the 
whole country equally in doubt as to his motives and aston¬ 
ished at his reserve. But Monk continued his inflexible taci¬ 
turnity, and at last came to St. Alban’s, within a few miles 
of London. 

11. He there sent the rump parliament, who had resumed 
their seat, a message, desiring them to remove such forces 
as remained in London to country quarters. In the mean 
time the house of commons, having passed votes for the 
composure of the kingdom, dissolved themselves, and gave 
orders for the immediate assembling of a new parliament. 

12. As yet the new parliament was not assembled, and 
no person had hitherto dived into the designs of the general. 
(A. 1). 1660.) He still persevered in his reserve; and al¬ 
though the calling of a new parliament was but, in other 
words, to restore the king, yet his expressions never once 
betrayed the secret of his bosom. Nothing but a security 
of confidence at last extorted the confession from him. Id. 
He had been intimate with one Morrice, a gentleman of De¬ 
vonshire, of a sedentary, studious disposition, and with him 
alone did he deliberate upon the great and dangerous enter¬ 
prise of the restoration. Sir John Granville, who had a 
commission from the king, applied for access to the general; 
he was desired tc communicate his business to Mot rice, 
14. Granville refused, though twice urged, to deliver nis 
message to any but the generai himself; so that Monk, 
finding that he could depend upon this minister’s secrecy, 
opened to him his whole intentions; hut, with his usual 
caution, still scrupled to commit any thing to paper- In 


THE COMMONWEALTH. 


249 


consequence of this, the king left the Spanish territories 
where he very narrowly escaped being detained at Breda by 
the governor, under the pretence of treating him with proper 
respect and formality. From thence he retired into Hol¬ 
land. where he resolved to wait for further advice. 

-o. At length the long-expected day for the sitting of a 
free parliament arrived. The affections of all were turned 
towards the king; yet such were their fears, and such dan 
gors attended a freedom of speech, that no one dared for 
some days to make any mention of his name. All this time 
Monk, with his usual reserve, tried their temper, and exa¬ 
mined the ardour of their wishes ; at length he gave direc¬ 
tions to Annesley, president of the council, to inform them 
that sir John Granville, a servant of the king had been sent 
over by his majesty, and was now at the deor with a letter 
to the commons. 

16. Nothing could exceed the joy and transport with 
which this message was received. The members, for a mo¬ 
ment, forgot the dignity of their situations, <md indulged in 
a loud acclamation of applause. Granville was called in, 
and the letter eagerly read. A moment’s pause was scarcely 
allowed : all at once the house burst into an universal assent 
to the king’s proposals ; and to diffuse the my more widely 
it was voted that the letter and indemnity should immediately 
he published. 

17. Charles II. entered London on the *wenty-ninth of 
May, which was his birth-day. An innumerable concourse 
of people lined the way wherever he passed y and rent the 
air with their acclamations. They had been so long dis¬ 
tracted by unrelenting factions, oppressed and alarmed by a 
succession of tyrannies, that they could no longer suppress 
these emotions of delight, to behold their constitution restored, 
or rather like a phenix, appearing more beautiful and vigor¬ 
ous from the ruins of its former conflagration. 

18. Fanaticism, with its long train of gloomv terrors, fled 
at the approach of freedom ; the arts of society and peace 
oegan to return ; and it had been happy for the people if the 
arts of luxury had not entered in their train.* 


* A groat rnniber of religious sects sprung up in England dnn»*r c>vi> warn 
That of the Quakers was the most remarkable. The founder wao ittorge Fox, 
born at Drajton, in Lancashire, in 1(324. 




250 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Questions for Examination. 

i, 2 What was the state of Cromwell’s mind, and what was Ins con* 
duet ptevious to his death * 

3. When did he die > at what age 1 and how long did he reign 1 

5. What mode ef life did Richard Cromwell prefer ? 

6. What measures were now determined upon f 

7. 8. What consequences followed * 

9 —12. What was now the conduct of General Monk! 

3. In whom did general Monk confide ? 

Ifi Relate the particulars widen preceded the king’s restoration. 

1 i At what time did Charlci. II. enter Loudon ? and what was his 
reception 1 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

Innocent X. 

Alexander VII .... 


King of trance. 


King of Denmark. 


A. D. 

. 1(141 
• U>55 


Louis XIV. 


a. n. 


1049 


Frederick III 


A. D. 
1018 


Emperors of Germany. 


Ferdinand 111........ 10.37 

Leopold.1058 

Emperor of the Turks. 
Mahomet IV .1049 


King of Spain. 

Philip IV.1021 


King and Queen of 
Sweden. 


King of Portugal. 


John IV.1040 

Alphonso.1050 


Christiana 
Charles X 


1633 

103 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

John Milton,* Waller; Davenant ; Cowley; sir John Denham 
Harrington; Harvey; Clarendon; Selden ; Hobbs. Admirals Blake. 
Montague, &c. ; Generals Bradshaw, Ireton, Fairfax, Monk, Lambert, 
Fleetwood; the earl of Essex; sir Henry Vane ; Bulstrode White- 
lock, lord keeper. 


•Milton was the greatest epic poet that England, perhaps that the. wornl, has 
ever produced, lie held the situation of Latin Secretary under Oliver ('rumweb, 
and was permitted to retain tin* emoluments of his office after he had become blind 
After the Restoration he was deprived of his office ; and it was amid ah the dis 
trees arising from blindness, age and poverty, that Pjradise Lost, the twsl 
mblime poem which adorns any language, was written. 



















CHARLES II. 


251 


CHAPTER XXX. 

CHARLES II. 

Horn IG3C. Died February 6, 1(585. Began to reign May 29 LCGO. 

Reigned -24$ years. 

SECTION I. 

Already quench’d sedition’s brand. 

And zeal, which burnt it, only warms the land. — Dr>idon 

l. (A.D. 1661.) When Charles came to the throne he 
was thirty years of age, possessed of an agreeable person, 
an elegant address, and an engaging manner. His whole 
demeanour and behaviour were well calculated to support 
and increase popularity. Accustomed, during his exile, to 
live cheerfully among his courtiers, he carried the same 
endearing familiarities to the throne; and, from the levity 
of his temper, no injuries were dreaded from his former 
resentments. 2. But it was soon found that all these ad¬ 
vantages were merely superficial. His indolence and love 
of pleasure made him averse to all kinds of business; his 
familiarities were prostituted to the worst as well as to the 
best of his subjects; and he took no care to reward his 
former friends, as he had taken few steps to be avenged of 
his former enemies. 

3. Though an act of indemnity was passed, those who 
had an immediate hand in the king’s death were excepted. 
Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw, though dead, were con¬ 
sidered as proper objects of resentment ; their bodies were 
dug from their graves, dragged to the place of execution, 
and after hanging some time, buried under the gallows. 4. 
Of the rest who sat in judgment in the late monarch’s 
trial, some were dead, and some thought worthy of pardon. 
Ten only, out of fourscore, were devoted to destruction 
These were enthusiasts, who had all along acted from 
principle, and who, in the general spirit of rage excited 
against them, showed a fortitude that might do honour to a 
better cause. 

5. This was the time for the king to have made himself 
independent of all parliaments; and it is said that South¬ 
ampton, one of his ministers, had thought of procuring his 
master, from the commons, the grant of a revenue of two 
millions a year, which would have effectually rendered him 


252 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


absolute; but in this his views were obstructed by the 
great Clarendon, who, though attached to the king, was still 
more the friend of liberty and the laws. f>. Charles, how- 
eve!, was no way interested in these opposite views of his 
ministers ; he only desired money in order to prosecute his 
pleasures : and, provided he had that, he little regarded the 
manner in which it was obtained. 

?. His continual exigencies drove him constantly tc 
measures no way suited to his inclination. Among others 
was his marriage, celebrated at this time, with Catharine, 
infanta of Portugal, who, diough a virtuous princess, pos¬ 
sessed, as it should seem, but few personal attractions. 
It was the portion of this princess that the needy monarch 
was enamoured of, which amounted to three hundred 
thousand pounds, together with the fortresses of Tangier 
m Africa, and of Bombay in the East Indies. 8. The 
chancellor Clarendon, the duke of Ormond, and South¬ 
ampton urged many reasons against this match, and op¬ 
posed it with all their influence ; but the king disregarded 
their advice, and the inauspicious marriage was celebrated 
accordingly. 

9. It was probably with a view of recruiting the supply 
for his pleasures that he was induced to declare war against 
the Dutch, as the money appointed for that purpose would 
go through his hands. In this naval war, which continued 
to rage for some years with great fierceness, much blood 
was spilt and great treasure exhausted, until at last a treaty 
was concluded at Breda, by which the colony of New York 
was ceded by the Dutch to the English, and considered as a 
most valuable acquisition. 

10. This treaty was consiuered as inglorious to the Eng. 
lisli, as they failed in gaining any redress upon the com¬ 
plaints which give rise to it. Lord Clarendon particularU 
gained a share of blame, both for having advised an unne¬ 
cessary war, and then for concluding a disgraceful peace 
He had been long declining in the king’s favour, and he wai> 
no less displeasing to the majority of the people. 

11. This seemed the signal for the ear ’s enemies to sir]) 
in, and effect his entire overthrow. A charge was opentyl 
against him in the house of commons, by Mr. Seymour., 
consisting of seventeen articles. These, which were only 
a catalogue of the popular rumours before mentioned, ap 
peared, at first sight, false and frivolous. However, Cla 
tendon, finding the popular torrent, united to the violence ol 


CHARLES 11. 


253 


power, running- with impetuosity against him, thougnt pro 
per to withdraw to France. 

12. Having thus got rid of his virtuous minister, the king 
soon after resigned himself to the direction of a set of men, 
whoaferwards went by the appellation of the Cabal *Yom the 
initials of the names of which it was composed. 

1H. Tl ie first of them, sir Thomas Clifford, was a man 
of a daring and impetuous spirit, rendered moie dangerous 
by eloquence and intrigue. Lord Ashley, soon after known 
by the name of lord Shaftesbury, was turbulent, ambitious, 
subtle, and enterprising. The duke of Buckingham was 
gay, capricious, with some wit, and great vitality. Arling¬ 
ton was a man of very moderate capacity ; his intentions 
were good, but he wanted courage to persevere in them. 
Lastly, the duke of Lauderdale, who was not defective in 
natural, and still less in acquired talents ; but neither was 
liis address graceful, nor his understanding just; he was 
ambitious, obstinate, insolent, and sullen. 14. These were 
the men to whom Charles gave up the conduct of his affairs, 
anil who plunged the remaining part of his reign in dillicul- 
ties, which produced the most dangerous symptoms. 

15. From this inauspicious combination the people had 
entertained violent jealousies against the court. The fears 
and discontents of the nation were vented without restraint; 
the apprehension of a popish successor, an abandoned court, 
and a parliament, which, though sometimes assertors of 
liberty, yet which had now continued for seventeen years 
without change, naturally rendered the minds of mankind 
timid and suspicious, and they only wanted objects on 
which to wreak their ill-humours. 

The gloom which hung over the public mind was still 
further increased by two fearful calamities. In the year 
1665 the plague broke out in London, and raged so dread¬ 
fully that 68,596 persons died within the bills of mortality. 
The following year was as fearfully distinguished by the 
great fire of London, in which 89 churches and 13,200 
houses were consumed. The ruins of the city extended 
over 436 acres, from the Tower along the river to the 
Temple, and from the north-east gate along the city wall 
to Holborn-bridge. Prompted by blind rage, some ascribed 
the guilt of this accidental conflagration to the republicans, 
others to the catholics ; though it is not easy to conceive 
how the burning of London could serve the purposes of 
either party. As the papists were the chief objects of 


254 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



Dreadful fire in London. ICG . 


public detestation, the rumour which threw the guilt on 
them was favourably received by the people. No proof, 
however, or even presumption, after the strictest inquiry 
by a committee of parliament, ever appeared to authorize 
such a calumny ; yet in order to give countenance to the 
popular prejudice, the inscription engraved by authority on 
the monument ascribed the calamity to this hated sect. 
This clause was erased by James 11. after his ascension, but 
was again restored after the revolution. So credulous, as 
well as obstinate, are the people in believing every thing 
which Hatters their prevailing passions. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 VVTiat engaging qualities did Charles possess? 

2 \\ ere these advantages of outward behaviour solid ? 

3, 4. What proceedings were taken against those who were consented in 
the king’s death ? 

5 VV'tiat proposition did Southampton make in favour of Charles and who 
op|d>sed it ? 

7 Whom did the king marry ? and what was his inducement? 

9 What is supposed to have induced the king to declare war ugaiust the 
Dutch ? 

10 In »h at w ay did lord Clarendon incur blame ? 

II. To what country did Clarendon withdraw • 

12 What appellation was given to the new ministers 

13 Who were they ? 

15. What consequences followed their appointment 













































CHARLES II. 


255 


SECTION 11 . 

Borne genuine plots on their authors were fix’d. 

\\ nh plots to invent plots, most curiously mix'd; 

*"«• Ihimierfiold. Hetlloe, ami Oa'es, found h Ttmfftie 
I o utru 111 halt the natives deserved to ho nting. — Dibdiiu 

I (A. 0. 1070.) When the spirit of the English is once 
loused, they either find objects of suspicion, or make them. 
On the 1 3th of August, one Kirby, a chemist, accosted the 
king, as he was walking in the Park. “ Sir,” said he 
“ keep within the company ; your enemies have a design 
upon your life, and you may be shot in this very walk.” 
2. Being questioned in consequence of this strange intima¬ 
tion, he offered to produce one doctor 'Tongue, a weak, 
credulous clergyman, who told him that two persons, named 
Grove and Pickering, were engaged to murder the king; 
and that sir George Wakeman, the queen’s physician, had 
undertaken the same task by poison. 3. Tongue was intro¬ 
duced to the king with a bundle of papers relating to this 
pretended cons pi racy, and was referred to the lord-treasure! 
Dauby. He there declared that the papers were thrust under 
his door ; and he afterwards asserted that he knew the author 
of them, who desired that his name might be concealed, as 
he dreaded the resentment of thejesuits. 

4. This information appeared so vague and unsatisfactory 
that the king concluded the whole was a fiction. However, 
Tongue was not to he repressed in the ardour of his loyalty; 
he went again to the lord-treasurer, and told him that a 
packet of letters, written by jesuits concerned in the plot, 
was that night put into the post-house at Windsor, directed 
to one Bedingfield, a jesuit, who was confessor to the duke 
of York, and who resided there. These letters had actually 
been received a feu hours before by the duke; but he had 
shown them to the king as a forgery, of which he knew 
neither the drift nor the meaning. 

5. Titus Oates, who was the fountain of all this dreadful 
intelligence, was produced soon after, who, with seeming 
reluctance, came to give his evidence. 'This Titus Oates 
was an abandoned miscreant, obscure, illiterate, vulgar, and 
indigent. He had been once indicted for perjury, was after¬ 
wards chaplain on board a man-of-war, and dismissed for 
crimnal practices. 6. He then professed himself a Roman 
catholic, and crossed the sea to St. Oiner’s, where he was 
for some time maintained in the English seminary of that 
ci y. At a time that he was supposed to have been intrusted 
with o secret involving the fate of kings, he was allowed to 


256 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


remain in such necessity, that Kirby was obliged to supply 
him with daily bread. 

7. He had two methods to proceed ; either to ingratiate 
himself by this information with the ministry, or to alarm 
the people, and thus turn their fears to his advantage. He 
chose the latter method. 8. He went, therefore, with his 
companions, to sir Edmoudsbury Godfrey, a noted and active 
justice of the peace, and before him deposed to a narrative 
dressed up in terrors fit to make an impression on the vulgar 
'['he pope, he said, considered himself as entitled to the pos¬ 
session of England and Ireland, on account of the heresy of 
the prince and people, and had accordingly assumed the 
sovereignty of these kingdoms. 9. The king, who was 
ridiculed by the jesuits, was solemnly tried by them, 
and condemned as a heretic. Grove and Pickering, to make 
sure work, were employed to shoot the king, and that too 
with silver bullets. The duke of York was to be offered 
the crown in consequence of the success of these probable 
schemes, on condition of extirpating the protestant religion. 
Upon his refusal, “ To pot James must go !” as the jesuits 
were said to express it. 

10. In consequence of this dreadful information, suffi¬ 
ciently marked with absurdity, vulgarity, and contradictions, 
Titus Oates became the favourite of the people, notwith¬ 
standing, during his examination before the council, he so 
betrayed the grossness of his impostures, that he contradicted 
himself in every step of his narration. 

11. A great number of the jesuits mentioned by Oates 
were immediately taken into custody. Coleman, secretary 
to the duke of York, who was said to have acted so strenuous 
a part in the conspiracy, at first retired, and next day sur¬ 
rendered himself to the secretary of state ; and some of his 
papers, by Oates’s directions, were secured. 

1,2. In this fluctuation of passions an accident served to 
confirm the prejudices of the people, and to put it beyond a 
doubt that Oates’s narrative was nothing but the truth. 

Sir Edmoudsbury Godfrey, who had been so active in un¬ 
ravelling the whole mystery of the popish machinations 
after haying been missing some days, was found dead in a 
ditch by Primrose-hill, in the way to Hampstead. 13. The 
cause ol his death remains, and must still continue, a secret ; 
but the people, already enraged against the papists, did not 
hesitate a moment to ascribe it to them The body of God¬ 
frey was carried through the streets in procession, preceded 


CHARLES II. 


257 


bv seventy clergymen ; and every one who saw it made no 
Ciinbt that his death could he only caused by the papists. 
1 L Even the belter sort of people were infected with the 
vulgar prejudice ; and such was the general conviction of 
popish guilt, that no person, with any regard to personal 
safety, could express the least doubt concerning the informa¬ 
tion of Oates, or the murder of Godfrey. 

15. In order to continue and propagate the alarm, the 
patliament affected to believe it true. An address was voted 
for a solemn fast. It was requested that all papers tending 
to throw light upon so horrible a conspiracy might be laid 
before the house ; that all papists should remove from Lon¬ 
don ; that access should be denied at court to all unknown 
and suspicious persons ; and that the train-bands in London 
and Westminster should he in readiness to march. 16. Oates 
was recommended to parliament by the king. He was lodged 
li' Whitehall, and encouraged by a pension of twelve hundred 
pounds a year to proceed in forging new informations. 

The encouragement given to Oates did not fail to bring in 
others also, who hoped to profit by the delusion of the times. 
17. William Bedloe, a man, if possible, more infamous than 
Oates, appeared next upon the stage. He was, like the 
former, of very low birth, and had been noted for several 
cheats and thefts. This man, at his own desire, was arrested 
at Bristol, and conveyed to London, where he declared before 
the council that he had seen the body of sir Edmondsburv 
Godfrey at Somerset-house, where the queen lived. 18. He 
stdd that a servant of Lord Bellasis offered to give him four 
thousand pounds if he would carry it off; and, finding all 
his information greedily received, he confirmed and height¬ 
ened Oates’s plot with aggravated horrors. 

19. Thus encouraged by the general voice in their favour 
the witnesses, who had all along enlarged their narratives in 
proportion as they were eagerly received, went a step further, 
and ventured to accuse the queen. The commons, in an 
address to the king, gave countenance to this scandalous ac¬ 
cusation ; the lords rejected it with becoming disdain : 


Questions for Examination, 

] In what manner did Kirby address the king? 

2—4. Keiate the circumstances of a pretended conspiracy. 

5. What was the character of the principal actor in this business ? 

7—11 By what means did he proceed \ 

1^_]4 What accident served to confirm the prejudice of the people 

Y 2 



258 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


15. Wljiit means were taken to continue the alarm ? 

16. How was Oates treated by the government ? 

17. What other delusion followed ! 

19 Whom did thej afterwards venture to accuse * 


SECTION III. 

O think what anxious moments pass between 
The birth of plots, and their last fatal periods ! 

O ’tis a dreadful interval of time, 

Made up of horror all, and big with death.— Jlidifson. 

I. (A. D. 1675.) Edward Coleman, secretary to the duke 
of York, was the first who was brought to trial, as being 
most obnoxious to those who pretended to fear the introduc¬ 
tion of popery. Bedloe swore that he received a commis¬ 
sion, signed by the superior of the Jesuits, appointing him 
papal secretary of state, and that he had consented to the 
kintr’s assassination. 2. After this unfortunate man’s sen- 

o 

tence, thus procured by these vipers, many members of both 
houses offered to interpose in his behalf, if he would make 
ample confession ; but as he was, in reality, possessed of no 
treasonable secrets, he would not procure life by falsehood 
and imposture. He suffered with calmness and constancy ; 
and, to the last, persisted in the strongest protestations of his 
innocence. 

3. The trial of Coleman was succeeded by those of Ire¬ 
land, Pickering, and Grove. They protested their inno¬ 
cence, but were found guilty. The unhappy men went to 
execution protesting their innocence, a circumstance which 
made no impression on the spectators ; but their being Jesuits 
banished even pity for their sufferings. 

4. Hill, Green, and Berry were tried upon the evidence 
of one Miles Prance, for the murder of Godfrey ; but though 
Bedloe’s narrative and Prance’s information were totally 
irreconcileable, and though their testimony was invalidated 
by contrary evidence, all was in vain : the prisoners were 
condemned and executed. They all denied their guilt at 
execution; and, as Berry died a protestant, this circumstance 
was regarded as very considerable. 

5. Whitebread, provincial of the Jesuits, Fenwick, Gaven, 
Turner, and Harcourt, all of them of the same order, were 
brought to their trial; and Langhorne soon after. Besides 
Oates and Bedloe, Dugdale, a new witness, appeared against 
the prisoners. This man spread the alarm still further, and 
even asserted that two hundred thousand papists in England 
were ready to take up arms. 6. The prisoners proved, by 




CHARLES II. 


259 


sixteen witnesses from St. Omer’s, that Oates was in that 
seminary at the time he swore he was in London. But, as 
they were papists, their testimony could gain no manner of 
credit. All pleas availed them nothing: but the jesuits and 
Langhorne were condemned and executed ; with their last 
breath denying the crime for which they died. 

7. 'I'he informers had less success on the trial of sir 
George Wakeman, the queen’s physician, who, though they 
swore with their usual animosity, was acquitted. Mis con* 
deinnation would have involved the queen in his guilt; and 
it is probable the judge and jury were afraid of venturing 
so far. 

8. 'Fhe earl of Stafford, nearly two years after, was the 
last man that fell a sacrifice to these bloody wretches ; the 
witnesses produced against him were Oates, Dugdale, and 
Tuberville. Oates swore that he saw Fenwick, the jesnit, 
deliver Stafford a commission from the general of the jesuits, 
constituting him paymaster of the papal army. 9. The 
clamour and outrage of the populace against the prisoner 
was very great : he was found guilty, and condemned to be 
hanged and quartered ; but the king changed his sentence 
into that of beheading. He was executed on Tower-hill, 
where even his persecutors could not forbear shedding tears 
at that serene fortitude which shone in every feature, motion, 
and accent of this aged nobleman. 

10. This parliament had continued to sit for seventeen 
years without interruption, wherefore a new one was called ; 
in which was passed the celebrated statute, called the Habeas 
Corpus Act, which confirms the subject in an absolute se¬ 
curity from oppressive power. By this act it was prohibited 
to send any one to prison beyond the sea : no judge, under 
severe penalties, was to refuse to any prisoner his writ of 
habeas corpus; by which the jailer was to produce in court 
the body of the prisoner, whence the writ had its name, and 
to certify the cause of his detainer and imprisonment. 

11. If the jail lie within twenty miles of the judge, the 
writ must be conveyed in three days, and so proportionality 
for greater distances. Every prisoner must be indicted the 
first term of his commitment, and brought to trial the sub¬ 
sequent term ; and no man, after being enlarged by court, 
can be recoinmitted for the same offence. 

12. The Meal-tub Plot, as it was called, soon followed 
the former. One Dangerfield, more infamous, if possible, 
than Oates and Bedloe, a wretch who had been set in the 


2G0 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


pillory, scourged, branded, and transported for felony and 
coining, hatched a plot, in conjunction with a person, 
whose name was Oellier, a Roman catholic ol abandoned 
character. Dangerfield began by declaring that there was 
a design on foot to set up a new form of government, and 
remove the king and the royal family. 13. He communi* 
cated this intelligence to the king and the duke of York, 
vdio supplied him with money, and countenanced Ins dis- 
covery. He hid some seditious papers in the lodgings of 
one colonel Mansel: and then brought the custom-house 
officers to his apartment, to search for smuggled merchan¬ 
dise. The papers were found; and the council, having 
examined the affair, concluded they were forged by Datiger- 
iield. 14. They ordered all the places he frequented to be 
searched ; and in the house of Cellier the whole scheme of 
the conspiracy was discovered upon paper, concealed in a 
meal-tub, from whence the plot had its name. Dangerfield, 
being committed to Newgate, made an ample confession of 
the forgery, which, though probably entirely of his own 
contrivance, he ascribed to the earl of Castlemain, the 
countess o ( Powis, and the five lords in the Tower. 15 He 
said that the design was to, suborn witnesses to prove a 
charge of perjury upon Oates, to assassinate the earl of 
Shaftesbury, to accuse the dukes of Monmouth and Bucking¬ 
ham, the earls of Essex, Halifax, and others, of having 
been concerned in the conspiracy against the king and 
his brother. Upon this information the earl of Castlemain 
and the countess of Powis were sent to the Tower, and 
the king himself was suspected of encouraging this impos¬ 
ture. 

16. The chief point which the present house of commons 
laboured to obtain was the exclusion bill, which, though 
the former house had voted, was never passed into a law. 
Shaftesbury, and many considerable men of the party, had 
rendered themselves so obnoxious to the duke of York, that 
they could find safety in no measure but in his ruin. Mon¬ 
mouth’s friends hoped that the exclusion of James would 
make room for their own patron. 17. 'The duke of York’s 
professed bigotry to the catholic superstition influenced 
numbers: and his tyrannies, which were practised without 
control while he continued in Scotland, rendered his name 
odious to thousands. In a week, therefore, after the com¬ 
mencement of the session, a motion was made for bringing 
in a bill (or excluding him from the succession to the throne, 


CHARLES II. 


20 l 

and a committee was appointed for that purpose The 
debates were carried on with great violence on both sides. 
The king was present during the whole debate : and bad 
the pleasure of seeing the bill thrown out by a t 'ny great 
majority. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. Who was first. brought to trial ? 

2 What was his behaviour at iiis execution? 

3 1. Who were the next that suffered ? 

i Wiiat others were tried for their lives? 

f> Bv what means did they prove their innocence? 

7 Which of the accused was acquitted ? 

S Who was the last that fell a victim to these wretches? 

What was the evidence against him? 

9. What sentence was passed u {Kin the earl of Stafford ? 

What effect had his fortitude on the beholders of his death? 

10, 11. What were the particulars of the Habeas Corpus Act? 

12. What plot was now laid, and who was the principal actor in it? 

13. How and when was it discovered ? 

16 17. What now engaged the attention of the Commons? 


SECTION IV. 

Vet sometimes nations will decline so low 
From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong, 

Pm justice, and some fatal course annex’d, 

Deprives them of their outward liberty, 

Their inward lost. — Milton. 

L (4. D. 1688.) Each party had for some time reviled 
and ridiculed the other in pamphlets and libels ; and this 
practice at last was attended with an accident that deserves 
notice. One Fitzharris, an Irish papist, dependent on 
die dutchess of Portsmouth, one of the king’s favourites, 
used to supply her with these occasional publications. 
2. But he was resolved to add to their number hv his own 
endeavours ; and he employed one Everhard, a Scotch¬ 
man, to write a libel against the king and the duke of 
York. The Scot was actually a spy for the opposite party ; 
and supposing this a trick to entrap him, he discovered 
the whole to sir William Waller, an eminent justice of 
peace ; and to convince him of the truth of this informa¬ 
tion. posteu him and two other persons, privately, where 
they heard the whole conference between Fitzhanis and 
himself. 3. The libel composed between them was replete 
with the utmost rancour and scurrility. Waller carried the 
intelligence to the king, and obtained a warrant for com¬ 
mitting Fitzharris, who happened at that very time to have 
a copy of the libel in his pocket. Seeing himself in the 
hands of a party from which he expected no mercy, ho 




HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


262 

resolved to side with them, and throw the odium of the 
libel on the court, who, he said, were willing to draw ont a 
libel which should he imputed to the cxclusioners, and thus 
render them hateful to the people. 4. He enhanced his 
services with the country party bv a new popish plot, st J1 
more tremendous than any of the foregoing. He brought 
»n the duke of York, as a principal accomplice in the plot, 
and as a contriver in the murder of sir Edmondsbury 
Godfrey. 

5. The king imprisoned Fitzharris ; the commons avowed 
his cause. They voted that he should be impeached by 
themselves, to secure him from the ordinary forms of jus¬ 
tice ; the lords rejected the impeachment; the commons 
asserted their right; a commotion was likely to ensue; 
and the king, to break off the contest, went to the house, 
and dissolved the parliament, with a fixed resolution never 
to call another. 

6. 'I'llis vigorous measure was a blow that the parlia¬ 
ment had never expected; and nothing but the necessity 
of the times could have justified the king’s manner of 
proceeding. From that moment, which ended the parlia¬ 
mentary commotions, Charles seemed to rule with despotic 
power, and he was resolved to leave the succession to his 
brother, but clogged witli all the faults and misfortunes of 
his own administration. 7. His temper, which had always 
leen easv and merciful, now became arbitrary, and even 
cruel ; he entertained spies and informers round the throne, 
and imprisoned all such as he thought most daring in their 
designs. 

8. He resolved to humble the presbyterians; these were 
dnested of their employments and their places ; and their 
offices given to such as held with the court, and approved 
the doctiine of non-resistance. The clergy began to testify 
their zeal and their principles by their writings and their 
sermons ; but though, among these the partisans of the king 
were the most numerous, those of the opposite faction were 
the most enterprising. 9. 'The king openly espoused the 
cause of the former ; and thus p.acing himself at the head 
of a faction, he deprived the city of London, which had 
long headed the popular party, of their charter. It was not 
till after an abject submission that he returned it to them, 
having previously subjected the election of their magistrates 
to his immediate authority. 

7 Terrors also were not wanting to confirm this new 


CHARLES II. 


26M 

species of monarchy. Fitzharris was brought to trial be¬ 
fore a jury, ami condemned and executed. The whole 
gang of spies, witnesses, informers, and suborners, which 
had long been encouraged and supported by the leading 
patriots, finding now that the king was entirely master, 
mined short upon their ancient drivers, and offered their 
evidence against those who had first put them in motion. 
'I he king’s ministers, with a horrid satisfaction, gave them 
ountenance and encouragement; so that soon the same 
cruelties, and the same injustice, were practised against 
presbyterian schemes, that had been employed against catho¬ 
lic treasons. 

1 1. The first person that fell under the displeasure of the 
ministry was one Stephen College, a London joiner, who 
had become so noted for his zeal against popery, that he 
went by the name of the protestant joiner. lie had at¬ 
tended the city members to Oxford, armed with sword and 
pistol; he had been sometimes heard to speak irreverently 
of the king, and was now presented by the grand jury of 
London as guilty of sedition. 12. A jury, at Oxford, after 
half an hour’s deliberation, brought him in guilty, and the 
spectators testified their inhuman pleasure with a shout of 
applause. He bore his fate with unshaken fortitude ; and 
at the place of execution denied the crime for which he had 
been condemned. 

13. The power of the crown became at this time irre¬ 
sistible (A. D. 1683), the city of London having been de¬ 
prived of their charter, which was restored only upon terms 
of submission ; and the giving up the nomination of their 
own magistrates was so mortifying a circumstance, that all 
the other corporations in England soon began to fear the 
same treatment, and were successively induced to surrender 
their charters into the hands of the king. Considerable 
sums were exacted for restoring these charters ; and all the 
offices ot power and profit were left at the disposal of the 
crown. 14. Resistance now, however justifiable, could not 
he safe, and all prudent men saw no other expedient, hut 
peaceably submitting to the present grievances. But there 
was a party m England that stilt cherished their former 
ideas of freedom, and were resolved to hazard every danger 
in its defence. 

15. The duke of Monmouth, the king’s natural son 
engaged the earl of Macclesfield, loid Biaudon. sit 
Gilbert Gerrard. and other gentlemen in Cheshire, 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


204 

in his cause. Lord Russel fixed a correspondence wilt 
sir William Courtney, sir Francis Rowles, and sir Francis 
Drake, who promised to raise the west. Shaftesbury. 
with one Ferguson, an independent clergyman, and a rest¬ 
less plotter, managed the city, upon which the confederates 
chiefly relied. It was now that this turbulent man found 
his schemes most likely to take effect. 

16. After the disappointment and destruction of a hun¬ 
dred plots, he at last began to be sure of this. But this 
scheme, like all the former, was disappointed. The caution 
of lord Russel, who induced the duke of Monmouth to put 
off the enterprise, saved the kingdom from the horrors of a 
civil war; while Shaftesbury was so struck with the sense 
of his impending danger, that he left his house, and lurking 
about the city, attempted, but in vain, to drive the London¬ 
ers into open insurrection. 17. At last, enraged at the 
numberless cautions and delays which clogged and defeated 
his projects, he threatened to begin with his friends alone. 
However, after a long struggle between fear and rage, he 
abandoned all hopes of success, and fled out of the kingdom 
to Amsterdam, where he ended his turbulent life soon 
after, without being pitied by his friends or feared by hi& 
enemies. 


Questions fur Examination, 

1. 2. What incident next deserves notice ? 

3, 4. I low did the commons act on this occasion ? and what was the const 
quence ? 

5. How did the dispute end between the king and parliament? 

7. What was now t-he temper of the king? 

8. How did the clergy act ? 

9 Of what did the king deprive the city of London ? 

10. What was now the conduct of the spies? 

11. 12. Who first fell under the ministry’s displeasure ? and on what occa 

sion ? 

13, 14. What resulted from the great power of the crown? 

15 By whom was resistance made ? 

16. 17. What was the issue of it? 


SECTION V. 

Hut let the hold conspirator beware. 

For heav’n makes p-inces its peculiar care. — iJryden. 

1. (A. D. 1684.) The loss of Shaftesbury, though it re 
larded the views of the conspirators, did not suppress them. 
A council of six was elected, consisting of Monmouth, Ruf* 




CHARLES II. 


265 


Essex, Howard, Algernon Sidney, and John Hampden, 
grandson to the great man of that name. 

2. Such, together with the duke of Argyle, were the 
leaders of this conspiracy. But there was also a set of 
subordinate conspirators, who frequently met together and 
carried on projects quite unknown to Monmouth and his 
council. Among these men were colonel Rumsey, an old 
republican officer, together with lieutenant-colonel Walcot, 
ot the same stamp ; Goodenough, under-sheriff of London,, 
a zealous and noted party-man ; Ferguson, an independent 
minister ; and several attorneys, merchants, and tradesmen 
of London. 3. But colonel Rumsey and Ferguson were 
the only persons that had access to the great leaders of the 
conspiracy. These men in their meetings embraced the 
most desperate resolutions. They proposed to assassinate 
the king on his way to Newmarket; Rumbal, one of the 
party, possessed a farm upon that road called the Rye-house, 
and from thence the conspiracy was denominated the Rye- 
house plot. 4. ’They deliberated upon a scheme of stopping 
the king’s coach, by overturning a cart on the highway at 
this place, and shooting him through the hedges. The 
house in which the king lived at Newmarket took fire ac¬ 
cidentally, and he was obliged to leave Newmarket eight 
days sooner than was expected, to which circumstance his 
safety was ascribed. 

5. Among the conspirators was one Keiling, who finding 
himself in danger of a prosecution for arresting the lord- 
mayor of London, resolved to earn his pardon by discover¬ 
ing this plot to the ministry. Colonel Rumsey, and West, 
a lau r yer, no sooner understood that this man had informed 
against them, than they agreed to save themselves by turning 
kin g’s evidence, and they surrendered themselves accord¬ 
ingly. 6. Monmouth absconded ; Russel was sent to the 
Tower; Grey escaped; Howard was taken, concealed in a 
chimney ; Essex, Sidney, and Hampden were soon after 
arrested, and had the mortification to find lord Howard an 
evidence against them. 

7. Walcot was first, brought to trial and condemned, 
together with Hone and Rouse, two associates in the con¬ 
spiracy, upon the evidence ot Rumsey, West, and Shep¬ 
pard. They died penitent, acknowledging the justness of 
the sentence by which they were executed. A much 
greater sacrifice was shortly after to follow. . This was the 
lord Russel, son of the earl of Bedford, a nobleman of mini 

Z 


266 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


berless good qualities, and led into this conspiracy from a 
conviction of the duke of York’s intention to restore popery. 
8. lie was liberal, popular, humane, and brave. All his 
virtues were so many crimes in the present suspicious dis¬ 
position of the court. The chief evidence against him was 
lord Howard, a man of very bad character, one of the con¬ 
spirators, who was now contented to take life upon such 
terms, and to accept of infamous safety. 9. This witness 
swore that Russel was engaged in the design of an insur¬ 
rection ; but he acquitted him, as he did also ltumsey and 
West, of being privy to.the assassination. The jury, who 
were zealous royalists, after a short deliberation, brought 
the prisoner in guilty, and he was condemned to suffer be¬ 
heading. The scaffold for his execution was erected in 
Lincoln-inn-fields ; he laid his head on the block without 
the least change of countenance, and at two strokes it was 
severed from his body. 

10. The celebrated Algernon Sidney, son to the earl of 
Leicester, was next brought to his trial. He had been 
formerly engaged in the parliamentary army against the late 
king, and was even named on the high court of justice that 
tried him, but he had not taken his seat among the judges. 
11. He had ever opposed Cromwell’s usurpation, and went 
into voluntary banishment on the restoration. His affairs, 
however, requiring his return, he applied to the king for a 
pardon, and obtained his request. But all his hopes and all 
his reasonings were formed upon republican principles. Foi 
his adored republic he had written and fought, and went 
into banishment and ventured to return. 12. It may easily 
be conceived how obnoxious a man of such principles was 
to a court that now was not even content to be without 
limitations to its power. They went so far as to take illegal 
methods to procure his condemnation. The only witness 
that deposed against Sidney was lord Howard, and the law 
required two 13. In order, therefore, to make out a se¬ 
cond witness, they had recourse to a very extraordinary ex¬ 
pedient. In ransacking his close t, some discourses on go¬ 
vernment were found in his own handwriting, containing 
principles favourable to liberty, and in themselves no way 
subversive of a limited government. By overstraining, some 
of these were construed into treason. 14. It was in vain 
fie alleged that papers were no evidence ; that it could not 
be proved they were written by him; that, if proved, the 
papers themselves contained nothing criminal. His defence 


CHARLES II. 


267 

was ovemded; the violent and inhuman Jefferies, who was 
now chief-justice, easily prevailed on a partial jury to bring 
him in guilty, and his execution followed soon after. 15 
One can scarce contemplate the transactions of this reign 
without horror. Such a picture of factious guilt on each 
side ; a court at once immersed in sensuality and blood, a 
people armed against each other with the most deadly ani¬ 
mosity, and no single party to be found with sense enough 
to stem the general torrent of rancour and factious suspicion. 

Hampden was tried soon after, and as there was nothing 
to affect his life, he was fined forty thousand pounds. Hol¬ 
loway, a merchant of Bristol, who had fled to the West In¬ 
dies, was brought over, condemned, and executed. Sir 
Thomas Armstrong also, who had fled to Holland, was 
brought over, and shared the same fate. 17. Lord Essex, 
who had been imprisoned in the Tower, was found in an 
apartment with his throat cut; but whether he was guilty 
of suicide, or whether the bigotry of the times might not 
have induced some assassin to commit the crime, cannot now 
be known. 

This was the last blood that was shed for an imputation 
of plots or conspiracies, which continued during the greatest 
part of this reign. 

18. At this period the government of Charles was as ab¬ 
solute as that of any monarch in Europe ; but, happily for 
mankind, his tyranny was but of short duration. The king 
was seized with a sudden fit, which resembled an apoplexy ; 
and although he was recovered by bleeding, yet he languish¬ 
ed only for a few days, and then expired, in the fifty-fifth 
year of his age, and twenty-fifth of his reign. During his 
illness some clergymen of the church of England attended 
him, to whom he discovered a total indifference. Catholic 
priests were brought to his bedside, and from their hands lie 
received the rites of their communion. 

In this reign was begun the celebrated naval hospital at 
Greenwich. The design was by Inigo Jones, and it was in¬ 
tended as a royal palace. It remained unfinished till the 
reign of William HI., when it was converted to its present 
use. It was enlarged by the addition of three wings, en - 
pc bed by donations, and by a tax of fid. a mouth from every 
seaman, and it now supports 3,000 boarders, and pays pen 
sions to 5,400 in different parts of the kingdom. 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 





Greenwich Hospital. 


The reign of Charles I!., which some preposterously re¬ 
present as our Augustan age, retarded the progress of polite 
literature; and the immeasurable licentiousness indulged, or 
rather applauded at court, was more destructive to the fine 
arts, than even the court nonsense and enthusiasm of the 
preceding period.— Hume. 

Bishop Burnet, in his History of his own Times, says, 
there were apparent suspicions that Charles had been poi¬ 
soned. He also observes that the King’s body was inde¬ 
cently neglected ; his funeral was very mean ; he did not 
lie in state; no mourning was given, and the expense of it 
was not equal to what ar« ordinary nobleman’s funeral will 

amount to. - 

Questions for Examination 

1. What new conspiracy was formed ? 

2. Who were the subordinate conspirators? 

3. 4. What were their desperate resolutions? 

5. In what manner was this plot discovered? 

6. What was the fate of the conspirators ? 

7. What eminent nobleman was concerned in this conspiracy ? 

8 Describe the character of Russel. Who was principal evidence against him 
9. Where did lord Russel suffer? 

0. Who was the next brought to trial? 

11. Describe the character and conduct of Algernon Sidney. 

12, 13. What methods were taken to procure his condemnation 7 
14, Was his defence attended to ? and by whom was he tried ? 

35. What dreadful picture did the kingdom now present? 

16 17. What other persons stifle red ? 

18 Describe the manner of the death of the king. 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Pope. 

a. n. 

Alexander VII 

1655 

Ciement IX. 

. 1667 

Innocent XI. 

. 1676 

Clement X. 

1679 


Emnero r of Germany. 
Leopold. .. 1658 


Emperor 

of 

the Turks. 




A. D.] 

Mahomet 

IV. 



Kins 

°f 

T... 

France. 

Louis X^ 


1643 

King 

of 

Spain 


Philip IV 

1621 

Charles II 

. . 

• • • • 

1665 


Kings of Portugal 

A O 

Alphonso VI. 1636 

Pedro II.1688 

Kings of Denmark. 

Frederick III.1648 

Christian V.1073 

King of Sweden. 
Charles XI.1660 







































































JAMES II. 


20 9 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Hyde, ear! rf Clarendon; Villiers, duke of Buckingham '* Butler, duke of Or 
Tiond , Cooper, earl of Shaftesbury; sir William Temple; A.gernon Sidney; 
Wentworth Dillon, earl of Roscommon ; R. Boyle, earl of Orrery ; G Mackenzie, 
earl of Cromarty ; G. Monk, duke of Albemarle; C. Stanley, earl of Derby; Mon¬ 
tague, earl of Sandwich , J Rowlett, marquis of Winchester; W. Cavendish, 
duke of Newcastle; G D't;hy, ear! of Bristol; Den/.il, lord Hollis; Dudley, lord 
North ; J. Touehet, earl of Castlehaven and baron Audley , II. Rietpont, marquis 
ol Dorchester, J. Wilmot, earl of Rochester; f Anthony Ashley ; lleneage Finch, 
earl of Nottingham, Francis North, lord keeper Guildford; j. Rolmrts, earl of 
Radnor; Arthur Annesley, earl of Anglesea, marquis of Argyle, II. Finch, earl 
Ol Wiindielsea ; A Carey, lord Falkland; Anne, countess of Dorset, Pembroke 
and Montgomery ; Margaret, dutchess of Newcastle. 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

JAMES II. 

Born 1633. Began to reign February 6, 1685. Abdicated the throne January 22. 

1688. Reigned years. 

SECTION I. 

Near Bridgewater, the fatal place 
Of Monmouth's downfall and disgrace. 

The hopeless duke, half starved, half drown’d, 

In covert of a ditch was found. —/Jibdnu 

1. (A. D.) 1685.) The duke of York, who succeeded his 
brother by the title of king James the second, had been bred 
a papist by his mother, and was strongly bigoted to his 
principles. He went openly to mass with all the ensigns of 
his dignity, and even sent one Caryl as his agent to Rome, 


* The strange character of this highly-gifted but profligate nobleman 
La thus graphically described by Dryden: 

“ A man so various that lie seemed to be 
Not one, but all mankind's, epitome: 

Snlf in opinion—always in Hie wrung— 

Was every tiling by starts, hut nothing long 
Who hi' the course of one revolving moon 
Was chemist, tiddler, statesman, and buffoon.” 

He died in wretchedness. Pope thus describes the miserable end af 
his career : 

“ In the worst inn’s worst room, with mat half hung 
The George and Garter daiii'limr from that bed 
Where tawdry yellow’ strove with dirty red, 

Great Villiers lies—alas' how changed from him 
That life of pleasure, and that soul of whim! 

Thor* 1 victor of Ins health, of fortune, fnends 
And fame, the lord of useless thousands ends. ’ 

«• Rochester was equally celebrated for bis wit and profligacy. Hi* 
tr/xk epitaph on Charles II. contains a severe but just character on .hat 
monarch: 

“ Here lies our mutton-eating king, 

Whose word no man relies oil: 

He never said a foolish tiling. 

And never did a wise one.’* 

2 z 2 





270 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


to make submission to the pope, and to pave the.way for the 
readmission of England into the bosom of the catholic 
church. 

*2. A conspiracy, set on foot by the duke of Monmouth, 
was the first disturbance in this reign. He had, -since his 
last conspiracy, been pardoned, but was ordered to depart 
the kingdom, and had retired to Holland. Being dismissed 
fiom thence by the prince of Orange, upon James’s acces¬ 
sion he went to Brussels, where finding himself still pursued 
by ttie king’s severity, he resolved to retaliate, and make an 
attempt upon the kingdom. 3. He had ever been the dar¬ 
ling of the people, and some averred that Charles had mar¬ 
ried his mother, and owned Monmouth’s legitimacy at his 
death. The duke of Argyle seconded his views in Scot¬ 
land, and they formed the scheme of a double insurrection ; 
so that, while Monmouth should attempt to make a rising in 
the west, Argyle was also to try his endeavours in the 
north. 

4. Argyle was the first who landed in Scotland, where he 
published his manifestos, put himself at the head of two 
thousand five hundred men, and strove to influence the peo¬ 
ple in his cause. But a formidable body of the king’s forces 
coming against him, his army fell away, and he himself, 
after being wounded in attempting to escape, was taken pri¬ 
soner by a peasant, who found him standing up to his neck 
m a pool of water. He was from thence carried to Edin¬ 
burgh, where, after enduring many indignities with a gallant 
soirit, he was publicly executed. 

5. Meanwhile Monmouth was by this time landed in 
Dorsetshire, with scarcely a hundred followers. However, 
his name was so popular, and so great was the hatred of die 
people both for the person and religion of James, that in 
four days he had assembled a body of above two thousand 
men. 

6. Being advanced to Taunton, his numbers had increased 
to six thousand men ; and he was obliged every day, for 
want of arms, to dismiss numbers who crowded to his stand¬ 
ard. He entered Bridgewater, Wells and Frome, and was 
proclaimed in all those places ; but he lost the hour of action 
ill receiving and claiming these empty honours. 

7. The king was not a little alarmed a‘ his invasion ; but 
still more so at the success of an undertaking that at first ap¬ 
peared desperate. Six regiments of British troops were 
recalled from Holland, and a body of regulars, to the num* 


JAMES li. 


271 

her of three thousand men, were sent, under the command of 
the earls of Feversham and Churchill, to check the progress 
of the rebels. 8. They took post at Sedgemore, a village 
in the neighbourhood of Bridgewater, and were joined by 
the militia of the county in considerable numbers. It was 
there that Monmouth resolved, by a desperate effort, to lose 
his life or gain the kingdom. The negligent disposition 
made by Feversham invited him to the attack ; and his faith¬ 
ful followers showed what courage and principle could do 
against discipline and numbers. 9. They drove the royal 
infantry from their ground, and were upon the point of gain¬ 
ing the victory, when the misconduct of Monmouth, and the 
cowardice of lord Grey, who commanded the horse, brought 
all to ruin. This nobleman fled at the first onset ; and the 
rebels being charged in flank by the victorious army, gave 
way, after three hours’ contest. 10. About three hundred 
were killed in the engagement, and a thousand in the pur¬ 
suit ; and thus ended an enterprise rashly begun, and more 
feebly conducted. 

Monmouth fled from the field of battle about twenty miles, 
till his horse sunk under him. He then alighted, and chang¬ 
ing his clothes with a shepherd, fled on foot, attended by a 
German count, who had accompanied him from Holland. 
11. Being quite exhausted with hunger and fatigue, they 
both lay down in a field, and covered themselves with fern. 
The shepherd being found in Monmouth’s clothes by the 
pursuers, increased the diligence of the search ; and by the 
means of blood-hounds he was detected in this miserable 
situation, with raw peas in his pocket, which he had gathered 
in the fields to sustain life. 12. He wrote the most sub¬ 
missive letters to the king; and that monarch, willing to 
feast his eyes with the miseries of a fallen enemy, gave him 
an audience. At this interview the duke fell upon his knees, 
and begged his life in the most abject terms. He even 
signed a paper, offered him by the king, declaring his own 
illegitimacy ; and then the stern tyrant assured him that his 
crime was of such a nature as could not be pardoned. 13 
The duke, perceiving that he had nothing to hope from the 
clemency of his uncle, recollected his spirits, rose up, and 
retired with an air of disdain. He was followed to the scaf¬ 
fold with great compassion from the populace. He warned 
the executioner not to fall into the same error which he had 
committed in beheading Russel, where it had been necessary 
to redouble the blow. 14. But this only increased the so 


272 


HISTORV OF ENGLAND. 


verity of the punishment; the man was seized with an uni¬ 
versal trepidation, and he struck a feeble blow, upon which 
the duke raised his head from the block, as if to reproach 
him ; lie gently laid down his head a second time, and the 
executioner struck him again and again to no purpose. He 
at last threw the axe down ; but the sheriff compelled him 
to resume the attempt, and at two more blows the head was' 
severed from the body. 15. Such was the end of James 
duke of Monmouth, the darling of the English people. He 
was brave, sincere, and good-natured, open to flattery, and 
by that seduced into an enterprise which exceeded his capa¬ 
city. f ' 3 

16. But it were well for the insurgents, and fortunate for 
the king, if the blood that was now shed had been thought 
a sufficient expiation for the late offence. The victorious 
army behaved with the most savage cruelty to the prisoners 
taken after the battle. Feversham, immediately after the 
victory, hanged up above twenty prisoners. 

17. 'Fhe military severities of the commanders were still 
inferior to the legal slaughters committed by judge Jefferies, 
who was sent down to try the delinquents. The natural 
brutality of this man’s temper was inflamed by continual in¬ 
toxication. He told the prisoners, that if they would save 
him the trouble of trying them, they might expect some fa¬ 
vour, otherwise he would execute the law upon them with 
the utmost severity. 18. Many poor wretches were thus 
allured into a confession, and found that it only hastened 
their destruction. No less than eighty were executed at 
Dorchester; and, on the whole, at Exeter, Taunton, and 
Wells, two hundred and fifty-one are computed to have 
fallen by the hands of the executioner. 


Questions for Examination. 

I. In what manner did James act on succeeding to the throne 

2 b. What was the (irst disturbance m this reign >. and who were the prin 
cipals concerned in it ? 

4. Wtial success attended A rgyle’s attempt ? 

5—10 Relate the particulars of Monmouth’s invasion. 

II. In what situation was he found ? 

12. What was his conduct after he was taken? 

13, 14. Relate what happened at his execution. 

15 What was his character ? 

IG How were the prisoners treated ? 

11 What was the conduct of judge Jefferies? 

*8. How many rebels are said to have been executed? 



JAMES II. 


273 


SECTION XL 

With persecution arm’d, the sacred code 

Of law he dashes thoughtless to the ground. — Valpy. 

1 (A.J). 1680.) In ecclesiastical matters, James proceed¬ 

ed with still greater injustice. Among those who dislin 
ginshed themselves against popery was one Dr. Sharpe, \ 
clergyman of London, who declaimed with just severity 
against those who changed their religion by such arguments 
as the popish missionaries were able to produce. 2. This 
being supposed to reflect upon the king, gave great offence 
at court; and positive orders were given to the bishop of 
London to suspend Sharpe, till his majesty’s pleasure should 
be further known. The bishop refused to comply; and the 
king resolved to punish the bishop himself- for disobe 
dience. 

3. To effect his design, an ecclesiastical commission was 
issued out, by which seven commissioners were invested 
with a full and unlimited authority over the whole church of 
England. Before this tribunal the bishop was summoned, 
and not only he, but Sharpe, the preacher, suspended. 

4. The next step was to allow the liberty of conscience 
to all sectaries; and he was taught to believe, that the truth 
of the catholic religion would then, upon a fair trial, gain 
the victory. lie, therefore, issued a declaration of general 
indulgence, and asserted that non-conformity to the estab¬ 
lished religion was no longer penal. 

5. To complete his work, he publicly sent the earl of 
Castlemain ambassador extraordinary 7 to Rome, in order to 
express his obedience to the pope, and to reconcile his king¬ 
dom to the catholic communion. Never was there so much 
contempt thrown upon an embassy that was so boldly un¬ 
dertaken. 'The court of Rome expected but little success 
from measures so blindly conducted. They were sensible 
that the king was openly striking at those laws and opinions, 
which it was his business to undermine in silence and se¬ 
curity. 

6. The jesuits soon after were permitted to erect college 
in different parts of the kingdom ; they exercised the catho¬ 
lic worship in the most public manner; and four catholic 
bishops, consecrated in the king’s chapel, were sent through 
the kingdom to exercise thei** episcopal functions, under the 
title of apostolic vicars. 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


17 1 

7 Father Francis, a Benedictine monk, was acomniend 
ed by the king to the university of Cambridge, for a degree 
of master of arts. But his religion was a stumbling-block 
which the university could not get over; and they pre 
seined a petition, beseeching the king to recall his mandate 
3. Their petition was disregarded, and their deputies denied 
a hearing : the vice-chancellor himself was summoned to 
appear before the high commission court, and deprived of 
his office; yet the university persisted, and father Francis 
was refused. 

9. The place of president of Magdalen college, one of the 
richest foundations in Europe, being vacant, the king sent a 
mandate in favour of one Farmer, a new convert to popery, 
and a man of bad character in other respects. The fellows 
of the college made very submissive applications to the king 
for recalling his mandate ; they refused admitting the candi¬ 
date ; and James, finding them resolute in the defence of 
their privileges, ejected them all except two. 

10. A second declaration for libertv of conscience was 
published about the same time with the former ; but with 
this peculiar injunction, that all divines should read it after 
service in their churches. (A. D. 1688.) The clergy were 
known universally to disapprove of these measures, and they 
were now resolved to disobey an order dictated by the most 
bigoted motives. They were determined to trust their cause 
to the favour of the people, and that universal jealousy which 
prevailed against the encroachment of the crown. 1 1. The 
first champions of this service of danger were Loyde, bishop 
of St. Asaph; Ken, of Bath and Wells; Turner, of Ely; 
Lake, of Chichester; White, of Peterborough; and Tre- 
lawney, of Bristol. These, together with Sancroft, the pri¬ 
mate, concerted the address, in the form of a petition to the 
king, which, with the warmest expressions of zeal and sub¬ 
mission, remonstrated that they could not read his declaration 
consistent'with their consciences, or the respect they owed 
the protestant religion. 

12. The king in a fury summoned the bishops before the 
council, and there questioned them whether they would ac- 
Knowledge their petition. They for some time declined 
giving an answer; but being urged by the chancellor, they 
at Jast owned it. On their refusal to give bail, an order w r aS 
immediately drawn for their commitment to the Tower, and 
the crown lawyers received directions to prosecute them for 
h seditious libel. 


James ii. 


27b 


Questions for Examination, 

*• !i?ri W ^ at vvay Dr Sharpe give '.ffenoe to the king? 

2 What was the conduct of James on that occasion ? ° 

3 By what means did he effect Ins design ? 

4 What was his next step ? 

5. Whom did he send ambassador extraordinary to Rome ? and how was 
the embassy received ? 

0 Relate the further proceedings of James. 

9 U hat took place at Magdalen college? 

10 W hat w ere the consequences of another declaration ? 

were the first that disobeyed the king’s mandate ? 

12 In what manner did James act on this occasion ? 


SECTION III. 

Forsaken thus, he other thoughts revolves 
f o quit th** "salin. anil many a scheme resolves; 

But let him go, nor heed, though thus you make 
The gentle duke Ins lonely journey take. — Hoolc. 

1. (4.D. 1688 .) The twenty-ninth day of June was fixed 
for their trial ; and their return was more splendidly attended 
than their imprisonment. The cause was looked upon as in¬ 
volving the fate of the nation ; and future freedom, or future 
slavery, awaited the decision. The dispute was learnedly 
managed by the lawyers on both sides. 2. Holloway and 
Powel. two of the judges, declared themselves in favour of 
the bishops. The jury withdrew into a chamber, where 
they passed the whole night; but next morning they returned 
into court, and pronounced the bishops not guilty. 3. West- 
minister-hall instantly rang with loud acclamations, which 
were communicated to the whole extent of the city. They 
even reached the camp at Hounslow, where the king was at 
dinner in loul Feversham’s tent. His majesty demanded 
the cause of these rejoicings, and being informed that it 
was nothing but the soldiers shouting at the delivery of the 
bishops, “ Call you that nothing ?” cried he ; “ but so much 
the worse for them !” 

4. It was in this posture of affairs that all people turned 
' their eyes upon William, prince of Orange, who had married 

1Mary, the eldest daughtei of king James. * 

William was a prince who had, from his earliest entrance 
into business, been immersed in dangers, calamities, and 
politics. The ambition of France, and the jealousies of Hol¬ 
land, had served to sharpen his talents, and to give lum a 
propensity for intrigue. 

5. This politic prince now plainly saw that James had 
incurred the most violent hatred of his subjects. (A.H 



27(5 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


1088.^ He was minutely informed of their discontents ; and 
by seeming to discourage, still farther increased them, hoping 
to gain the kingdom for himself in the sequel. 

6. 'Idle time when the prince entered upon this enterprise 
was just when the people were in a flame about the recent 
'nsult offered to their bishops. He had before this made 
considerable augmentations to the Dutch fleet, and the ships 
were then lying ready in the harbour. Some additional 
troops were also levied, and sums of money raised for other 
purposes were converted to the advancement of this expe¬ 
dition. 

7. So well concerted were his measures, that, in three 
days, above four hundred transports were hired ; the army- 
fell down the rivers and canals from Nimeguen. with all ne¬ 
cessary stores ; and the prince set sail from Helvoetsluys. 
with a fleet of nearly five hundred vessels, and an army of 
above fourteen thousand men. 

It was given out that this invasion was intended for the 
coast of France ; and many of the English, who saw the fleet 
pass along their coasts, little expected to see it land on their 
own shores. Thus, after a voyage of two days, the prince 
landed his army at the village of Broxholme, in Torbay, on 
the fifth of November, which was the anniversary of the 
gunpowder treason. 

8. But though the invitation from the English was very 
general, the prince had for some time the mortification to 
find himself joined by very few. He marched first to Exe¬ 
ter, where the country people had been so much terrified at 
the executions which had ensued on Monmouth’s rebellion, 
that they continued to observe a strict neutrality 9. He 
remained for ten days in expectation of being joined by the 
malecontents, and at last began to despair of success. But 
just when he began to deliberate about re-embarking his 
forces, he was joined by several persons of consequence, and 
the whole country soon after came flocking to his standard 
The nobility, clergy, officers, and even the king’s own ser¬ 
vants and creatures, were unanimous in deserting James 
10. Lord Churchill had been raised from the rank of a page, 
and had been invested with a high command in the army; 
had been created a peer, and owed his whole fortune to the 
king’s bounty ; even he deserted among the rest, and carried 
with him the duke of Grafton, the natural son of the late 
king, colonel Berkeley, and some others. 

11 The prince of Denmark, and Anne, his favourite 


JAMES II. 


277 


daughter, perceiving the desperation of his circumstances, 
resolved to leave him, and take part with the prevailingside 
When he was told that the prince and princess had followed 
the rest of his favourites, lie was stung with most bitter 
anguish. “ God help me,” cried he, in the extremity of his 
agony, “ my own children have forsaken me!” 

12, The king, alarmed every day more and more with 
the prospect of a general disaffection, was resolved to hearken 
to those who advised his quitting the kingdom. To prepare 
for this, he first sent away the queen, who arrived safely at 
Calais, under the conduct of count Lauzun, an old favourite 
of the French king. He himself soon after disappeared in 
the night-time, attended only by sir Edward Hale, a new 
convert : but was discovered and brought back by the mob. 

But shortly after, being confined at Rochester, and ob¬ 
serving that he was entirely neglected by his own subjects, 
he resolved to seek safety from the king of France, the only 
friend he had still remaining. 14. He accordingly fled to 
the sea-side, attended by his natural son, the duke of Ber¬ 
wick, where he embarked for the continent, and arrived in 
safety at Ambleteuse in Picardy, from whence he hastened 
to the court of France, where he still enjoyed the empty 
title of a king, and the appellation of a saint, which flat' 
tered him more. 

15. The king having thus abdicated the throne, the next 
consideration was the appointing a successor. (A.D. 1688.) 
Some declared for a regent; others, that the princess of 
Orange should be invested with regal power,, and the young 
prince considered as supposititious. After a long debate in 
both houses, a new sovereign was preferred to a regent, by 
a majority of two voices. It was agreed that the prince 
and princess of Orange should reign jointly as king and 
queen of England, while the administration of government 
should be placed in the hands of the prince only. 


Questions fur Examination. 

1 3. Relate the circumstances which attended the bishops’ trial. 

4 To whom did the people look for deliverance ( 

5 What was the situation of the people when William entered upon this 

enterprise ? 

7 What measures did William concert io effect the invasion of England ? 
Where did he land ? 

10 By whom was the king deserted ? 

11 What exclamation did the king make when he was told tpat the prince 

and princess had forsaken him 1 

2 A 


278 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


12. \Y 'nat resolution .lid the king adopt? 
14. T; vhal court cud James repair? 

15 What followed the king’s abdication? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Pope 




A.D. 

Innoi ent XI.. 

. 1676 

Emperor 

°.f 

Germany. 

Iioopokl . 


. 1658 

F.mjtemrs 

of 

the 'Forks. 

Mahomet 

IV. 



A.D. 

Solyman 1. 1687 

King of France 
Lours XIV. 1643 

Kins; of Spain. 
Charles II. 1665 


King cf Portugal. 

\ I) 

Pedro II. 1683 

King of De^imaik. 
Christian V. 167 

King of Sweden. 
Charles XI. 166C 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

The duke of Monmouth. Spencer, earl of Sunderland. Prince James 
otherwise called the Pretender. Judge Jefleries. Colonel Kirk. G. Savde, 
marquis of Halifax. George, earl of Berkeley. Thomas Osborne, duke of 
Leeds. II. Booth, lord Delamore, and earl of Warrington. C Sackville, 
sari Dorset. II. Cavendish, duke of Devonshire. J. Thomson, lord Ila- 
versham. Colin Lindsey, earl of Balearras. James Dalrymple, viscount 
Stair. R. Graham, viscount Preston. Roger Palmer, earl of' Castlemain. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

WILLLIAM III. 

Born 1650. Died March 8, 1702. Landed in England, November 5, 1688. Began 
to reign January 22, 1689. Reigned 13 years. 

SECTION I. 

-By turns they tell. 

And listen, eaeh with emulous trlory fired, 

How William coiiqtic’d. and how France retired, 

How Providence o'er William’s temples held, 

On Boyne’s propitious banks, the heuv’nly shield.— Prior. 

1 (A.D. 1087.) William was no sooner elected to the 
throne, than he began to experience the difficulty of govern¬ 
ing a people, who were more ready to examine the com 
mands of their superiors than to obey them. 

2. His reign commenced with an attempt similar to that 
which had been the principal cause of all the disturbances 
in the preceding reign, and which had excluded the monarch 
from the throne. William was a Calvinist, and consequently 
averse to persecution; he therefore began by attempting 
those laws which enjoined uniformity of worship ; and, 
though he could not entirely succeed in his design, a tolera¬ 
tion was granted to such dissenters as should take the oaths 
of allegiance, and hold no private conventicle. 

3 In the mean time, James, whose authority was still 



















WILLIAM III. 


279 


acknowledged in Ireland, embarked at Brest for that kingdom 
mid on May 22d arrived at Kinsale. He soon after made 
his public entry into Dublin, amidst the acclamations of the 
inhabitants. He found the appearance of things in that 
country equal to his most sanguine expectations. Tyreonnel, 
the lord-lieutenant, was devoted to his interests; his old 
army was steady, and a new one raised, amounting together 
to nearly forty thousand men. 

4. As soon as the season would permit, he went to lay 
siege to Londonderry, a town of small importance in itself, 
but rendered famous by the stand it made on this occasion. 

5. The besieged endured the most poignant sufferings 
from fatigue and famine, until at last relieved by a store- 
ship, that happily broke the boom laid across the river to 
prevent a supply. The joy of the inhabitants at this unex¬ 
pected relief was only equalled by the rage and disappoint¬ 
ment of the besiegers. The army of James was so dispirited 
by the success of this enterprise, that they abandoned the 
siege in the night; and retired with precipitation, after 
having lost about nine thousand men before the place. 

0. It was upon the opposite sides of the river Boyne that 
both armies came in sight of each other, inflamed with all 
the animosities arising from a difference of religion, hatred, 
and revenge. (A.D. 1690.) The river Boyne at tiiis place 
was not so deep but that men might wade over on foot; 
however, the banks were rugged, and rendered dangerous 
by old houses and ditches, which served to defend the latent 
enemy. 7. William, who now headed the protestant army, 
had no sooner arrived, but he rode along the side of the 
river in sight of both armies, to make proper observations 
upon the plan of battle ; but in the mean time, being per¬ 
ceived by the enemy, a cannon was privately brought out, 
and planted against him where he was sitting. I he shot 
killed several of his followers, and he himself was wounded 
in the shoulder. 

8. Early the next morning, at six o’clock, king William 
gave orders to force a passage over the river. I his the 
army undertook in three different places ; and, after a furious 
cannonading, the battle began with unusual vigour. 1 he 
Irish troops, though reckoned the best in Europe abroad, 
have always fought indifferently at home. 9. Alter an 
obstinate resistance, they fled with precipitation, leaving the 
French and Swiss regiments, who came to their assistance, 
to make the best retreat they could William led on his 


280 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



Battle of Augbnm, and Death of Geneul St. Ruth. 


horse in person ; and contributed by his activity and vigi¬ 
lance to secure the victory. James was not in the battle, but 
stood aloof during the action, on the hill of Dunmore, sur 
rounded with some squadrons of horse; and at intervals was 
heard to exclaim, when he saw his own troops repulsing those 
of the enemy, “O spare my English subjects!” 

10. The Irish lost about fifteen hundred men, and the 
protestants about one-third of that number. The victory 
was splendid, and almost decisive; but the death of the 
duke of Schomberg, who was shot as he was crossing the 
water, seemed to outweigh the whole loss sustained by the 
enemy. 

11. The last battle fought in favour of James was at 
Aughrim. ( A.D. 1691.) The enemy fought with surpris¬ 
ing fury, and the horse were several times repulsed ; but the 
English wading through the middle of a bog up to the 
waist in mud, and rallying with some difficulty on the firm 
ground on the other side, renewed the combat with great 
fury. 12. St. Ruth, the Irish general, being killed, his 
fate so discouraged his troops, that they gave way on all 
sides, and retreated to Limerick, where they resolved to 
make a final stand, after having lost above five thousand of 
the flower of their army. 13. Limerick, the last retreat 
of the Irish forces, made a brave defence: but soon seeing 
the enemy advanced within ten paces of the bridge-foot, 
and perceiving themselves surrounded on all sides, they 
determined to capitulate; a negotiation was immediately 
begun, and hostilities ceased on both sides. 14. The Ro- 








WILLIAM III. 


281 


man catholics, by this capitulation, were restored to the 
enjoyment of those liberties in the exercise of their religion, 
winch they had possessed in the reign of king Charles thfc 
Second. All persons were indulged with free leave to re- 
move with their families and effects to any other country, 
except England and Scotland. In consequence of this, 
above fourteen thousand of those who had fought for king 
James went o^er into France, having transports provided by 
government for conveying them thither. 


Questions for Examination, 

1 2 What were lhe first acts of William ? 

3. In what maimer was James received in Ireland ? 

4. What was the state of aflairs in that country? 

b. Relate the particulars of the siege of Londonderry. 

6 Where did the armies first meet ? 

7. By what means was William wounded ? 

6, 9. What was the issue of this battle ? 

Describe the conduct of the rival kings during this engagement. 
LO. What loss did each side sustain ? 

11 Where was the next battle fought ? 

12. How many of the Irish fell iri this engagement? 

13 What was the last place of their retreat ? 

14 What were the articles of their capitulation ? 


SECTION II. 

Yei Fame shall slay ami bend Id William's praise, 

Of him hoi thousand ears shall hear triumphant lays ; 

Of him her tongue shall talk, on him her eyes shall gaze.— Congreve. 

1. (A.D. 1692.) James was now reduced to the lowest 
state of despondence : his designs upon England were quite 
frustrated, so that nothing was left his friends but the hopes 
of assassinating the monarch on the throne. These base 
attempts, as barbarous as they were useless, were not en¬ 
tirely disagreeable to the temper of James. 2. It is said he 
encouraged and proposed them ; but they all proved unser¬ 
viceable to bis cause, and only ended in the destruction of 
the undertakers. From that time till he died, which was 
about seven years, he continued to reside at St. Germains, 
a pensioner on the bounty of Louis, and assisted by occa¬ 
sional liberalities from bis daughter and friends in England 
He died on the sixteenth day of September, in the year 
1700, after having laboured under a tedious sickness ; anO 
many miracles, as the people thought, were wrought at his 
tomb. 3. Indeed, the latter part of his life was calculated 
to inspire the superstitious with reverence for his piety, 
lie subjected himself to acts of uncommon penance and 

2 a 2 




282 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


mortification. He frequently visited the poor monks of La 
Yrappe, who were edified by his humble and pious deport¬ 
ment. 4. His pride and arbitrary temper seemed to have 
vanished with his greatness ; he became affable, kind, and 
easy to all his dependants ; and at his last illness conjured 
his son to prefer religion to every worldly advantage,—a 
counsel which that prince strictly obeyed. He died with 
great marks of devotion, and was interred, at his own request, 
in the church of the English benedictines at Paris, without 
any funeral solemnity. 

5. William, upon accepting of the crown, was resolved 
to preserve, as much as he was able, that share of preroga¬ 
tive which still was left him. But at length he became 
fatigued with opposing the laws which parliament every day 
were laying round his authority, and gave up the contest 
6. He admitted every restraint upon the prerogative in Eng¬ 
land, upon condition of being properly supplied with the 
means of humbling the power of France. War, and the 
oalance of power in Europe, were all he knew, or indeed 
desired to understand. Provided the parliament furnished 
him with supplies for these purposes, he permitted them to 
rule the internal polity at their pleasure. 7. For the prose¬ 
cution of the war with France, the sums of money granted 
to him were incredible. The nation, not content with fur¬ 
nishing him with such sums of money as they were capable 
of raising by the taxes of the year, mortgaged these taxes, 
and involved themselves in debts which they have never 
since been able to discharge. 8. For all that profusion of 
wealth granted tb maintain the imaginary balance of Europe, 
England received in return the empty reward of military 
glory in Flanders, and the consciousness of having given 
their allies, particularly the Dutch, frequent opportunities 
of being ungrateful. 

The war with France continued during the greatest part of 
this king’s reign ; but at length the treaty of Ryswick, A.D. 
1697, put an end to those contentions, in which England had 
engaged without policy and came off without advantage. 

9. In the general pacification her interests seemed entirely 
deserted ; and for all the treasures she had sent to the con¬ 
tinent, and all the blood which she had shed there, the 
only equivalent she received was an acknowledgment of 
king William’s title from the king of France. 

10. William was naturally of ? very feeble constitution : 
and it was by this time almost exhausted by a series of con- 


WILLIAM III. 


265 


tmnal cVisqmetuue and action. He had endeavoured to re¬ 
pair his constitution, or at least to conceal its decays, by 
exercise and riding. On the twenty-first day of February, in 
riding to Hampton-court from Kensington, his horse fell 
under him, and he was thrown with such violence, that his 
collar-bone was fractured. His attendants conveyed him to 
the palace at Ilampton-court, where the fracture was re* 
dweed, and in the evening he returned to Kensington in his 
coach. 11. The jolting of the carriage disunited the frac¬ 
ture once more, and the hones were again replaced, under 
Bidloo, his physician. This in a robust constitution would 
have been a trilling misfortune ; but in him it was fatal 
For some time he appeared in a fair way of recovery ; but, 
falling asleep on his couch, he was seized with a shivering, 
which terminated in a fever and diarrhoea, which soon be¬ 
came dangerous and desperate. 11. Perceiving his end 
approaching, the objects of his former care still lay next his 
heart ; and the fate of Europe seemed to remove the sensa¬ 
tions he might be supposed to feel for his own. The earl 
of Albemarle arriving from Holland, he conferred with him 
in private on the posture of afifairs abroad. Two days after, 
having received the sacrament from archbishop Tenison, he 
expired in the fifty-second year of his age, after having 
reigned thirteen years. 


Questions for Exam ination. 

7. To what situation was James reduced ? and what were the designs of hi* 
friends ? 

2. When ami where did James die? 

3. How did the exiled mo larch spend the latter part of his life? 

4. What counsel did he g ve to 1 1 is son in his last illness ? 

5. What was William’s resolution on accepting the crown ? 

6. Did his actions eorrespt nd with that resolution ? 

7. In what manner did Wi.liam act? 

8. 9. What consequences resulted from the war with France ? 

10,11. What accident happened to William? and what were the conae 
quences? 

12. What object lay nearest hts heart ? 

How long did William reign, and what was his age ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

Alexander VIII.... 

Innocent XII. 

Clement XI. 


A.». 

1C>89 

10)91 

1700 


Achmet II.. 
Mustapha II 


A.n. 

1091 

16y5 


Emperor of Germany. 

Leopold. 11»58 

Emperors of the Turks. 
Soli man III. 1687 


Kins of France. 
Louis XIV. 1643 

Kings of Spain. 

Charles II. 1665 

Philip V. 1700 


Kinp of Portugal. 

A.T* 

Pedro II. 1683 

King of Denmark 
Christian V. 1670 

Kings oj Sweden. 

Charles XI.1660 

Charles XII. 169 





















284 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

Sir Isaac Newton John Locke. Archbishop Tillotson. Bishop Burnet. 
Duke Schoinberg. General Schomberg, son of the duke. M'ontague, ear] 
Halifax. Russel, earl of Oxford. John, lord Somers. Anthony Ashley 
Cooper, earlof Shaftesburv (grandson to the nobleman mentioned in a former 
reign). Sheffield, duke ox 1 Buckingham. John, lord Cutts Admiral Russel 
lord Berkley, &e. 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

: ANNE. 

Born 1G64. Died August, 1714. Began to reign March 8, 1702. Reigned 

124 years. 

SECTION 1. 

Yc active stream*, wlierVr your waters flow, 

l.et distant climes and farthest nations know 

V\ hat ye from Thames and Danube have been taught. 

How Anne commanded, and how Alurbro’ fought.— Prior. 

1. (A.D. 1702.) Anne, married to prince George oi’ 
Denmark, ascended the throne in the thirty-eighth year of 
her age, to the general satisfaction of all parties. She was 
the second daughter of king James, by his first wife, the 
daughter of chancellor Hyde, afterwards earl of Clarendon. 
Upon coming to the crown, she resolved to declare war 
against France, and communicated her intentions to the 
house of commons, by whom it was approved, and war was 
proclaimed accordingly. 

2. This declaration of war, on the part of the English, 
was seconded by similar declarations by the Dutch and 
Germans on the same day. The French monarch could not 
suppress his anger at such a combination, but his chief re¬ 
sentment fell upon the Dutch. He declared with great emo¬ 
tion, that, as for these gentlemen pedlars, the Dutch, they 
should one day repent their insolence and presumption in 
declaring war against one whose power they had formerly 
felt and dreaded. 3. However, the affairs of the allies 
were no way influenced by his threats. The duke of Marl¬ 
borough had his views gratified, in being appointed general 
of the English forces : and he was still farther flattered by 
the Dutch who, though the earl of Athlone had a right to 
share the command, appointed Marlborough generalissimo 
of the allied army. 4. And it must be confessed, that few 
men shone more, either in debate or action, than he; serene 
in tne midst of danger, and indefatigable in the cabinet; so 




285 


annf. 



Marlhorough. 


that he became the most formidable enemy to France that 
England ever produced, since the conquering times of Crcssy 
and Agincourt. 

5. A great part of the history of this reign consists in hat- 
ties fought upon the continent, which, though of very little 
ad vantage to the interest of the nr don, were very great 
additions to its honour. These triumphs, it is true, are 
passed away, and nothing remains of them but the names of 
Blenheim, Ramilies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet, where the 
allied army gained great, but (with respect to England) use 
less victories. 

fi. A conquest of much greater national importance was 
gained with less expense of blood and treasure in Spain. 
The ministry of England, understanding that the French 
were employed in equipping a strong squadron in Brest, 
sent out sir Cloudesly Shovel and sir George Rooketo watch 
their motions. Sir George, however, had further orders to 
convoy a body of forces in ransport-ships to Barcelona, upon 
which a fruitless attack was made by the prince of Hesse. 
7. Finding no hopes, therefore, from this expedition, in two 
days after the troops were re-embarked, sir George Hooke, 
joined by sir Cloudesly, called a council of war on board 
the fleet, as they lay off the coast of Africa. In this they 
resolved to make an attempt upon Gibraltar, a city then be¬ 
longing to the Spaniards, at that time ill provided with % 
garrison, as neither expecting nor fearing such au attempt 




ANNE. 


236 

8. The town of Gibraltar stands upon a tongue of land 
as the mariners call it, and defended by a rock inaccessible 
on every side but one. The prince of Hesse landed his 
troops, to the number of eight hundred, on the continent ad¬ 
joining, and summoned the town to surrender, lut without 
effect. 9. Next day the admiral gave orders for cannonading 
the town; and, perceiving that the enemy were driven from 
their fortifications at a place called the South Mole Head, 
ordered captain Whitaker to arm all the boats, and assault 
that quarter. Those officers who happened to be nearest 
the Mule immediately manned their boats without orders, 
and entered the fortifications sword in hand. 10. But they 
were premature ; for the Spaniards sprung a mine, by which 
two lieutenants and about one hundred men were killed 
or wounded. Nevertheless, the two captains, Hicks and 
Jumper, took possession of a platform, and kept their ground 
until they were sustained by captain Whitaker, and'the rest 
of the seamen, who took a redoubt between the Mole and 
the town by storm. Then the governor capitulated, and 
the prince of Hesse entered the place, amazed at the success 
of the attempt, considering the strength of the fortifications 
11. When the news of this conquest was brought to Eng¬ 
land, it was for some time in debate whether it was a cap 
lure worth thanking th' admiral for. It was at last consi 
dered as unworthy public gratitude; and, while the duke ot 
Marlborough was extolled for useless services, sir George 
Rooke was left to neglect, and soon displaced from his com¬ 
mand for having so essentially served his country. A strik¬ 
ing instance, that, even in the most enlightened age, popular 
applause is most usually misplaced. 12. Gibraltar has ever 
since remained in the possession of the English, and continues 
of the utmost use in refitting that part of the navy destined 
to annoy an enemy, or protect our trade in the Mediterra¬ 
nean. Here the English have a repository capable of con¬ 
taining all things necessary for the repairing of fleets or the 
equipment of armies. 

13. While the English were thus victorious by land and 
sea, a new scene of contention was opened on the side of 
Spain, where the ambition of the European princes exerted 
itself with the same fury that had filled the rest of the conti¬ 
nent. Philip the Fourth, grandson of Louis the Fourteenth, 
had been placed upon the throne of that kingdom, and had 
been received with the joyful concurrence of the greatest part 

his subjects. 14. He had also been nominated successor 


AXNE. 


287 


to the crown by the late king - of Spain’s will. But, in a 
former treaty among the powers of Europe, Charles, son of 
the emperor of Germany, was appointed heir to that crown ; 
and this treaty had been guaranteed by France herself, though 
she now resolved to reverse that consent in favour of a de¬ 
scendant of the house of Bourbon. 15. Charles was still 
farther led on to put in for the crown of Spain by the invi¬ 
tations of the Catalonians, who declared in his favour, and 
by the assistance of the English and the Portuguese, who 
promised to arm in his cause. He w r as furnished witn two 
hundred transports, thirty ships of war, and nine triousand 
men, for the conquest of that extensive empire. But the 
earl of Peterborough, a man of romantic bravery, offered to 
conduct them ; and his single service was thought equiva¬ 
lent to armies 

16. The earl of Peterborough was one of the most sin¬ 
gular and extraordinary men of the age in which he lived. 
When yet but fifteen, he fought against the Moors in Africa*, 
at twenty he assisted in compassing the revolution, and he 
now carried on the war in Spain almost at his own expense : 
his friendship for the duke Charles being one of his chief 
motives to this great undertaking. He was deformed in his 
person ; but of a mind the most generous, honourable, and 
active. His first attempt upon landing in Spain was the 
taking of Barcelona, a strong city, with a garrison of five 
thousand men, while the whole army amounted to little more 
than nine thousand. The prince of Hesse was killed in this 
action. 

17. These successes, however, were but of short continu¬ 
ance ; Peterborough being recalled, and the army under 
Charles being commanded by the lord Galway. This no¬ 
bleman, having received intelligence that the enemy, under 
the command of the duke of Berwick, was posted near the 
town of Almanza, he advanced thither to give him battle 

18. The conflict began about two in the afternoon, and the 
whole front of each army was fully engaged. The centre, 
consisting chiefly of battalions from Great Britain and Hol¬ 
land, seemed at first victorious ; but the Portuguese horse, 
by whom they were supported, betaking themselves to flight 
in the first charge the English troops were flanked and sur¬ 
rounded on every side. 19. In this dreadful emergency 
they formed themselves into a square, and retired to an emi 
nonce where being ignorant of the country, and destitute of 
all supplies, they were obliged to surrender prisoners of 


SS8 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



Death of the prince of Heaco ct Barcelona. 


war, to the number of ten thousand men. This victory was 
complete and decisive; and all Spain, except the province 
of Catalonia, returned to their duty to Philip their sovereign, 


Questions for Examination. 

1. Who succeeded William? 

Against whom did Anne declare war ? 

2. llow did the French monarch express his anger? 

3. Who was appointed generalissimo ? 

4. What is his character ? • 

5. Where did the nation gain great victories ? 

6,7. What important conquest was next obtained? 

8—10. Itelale the particulars. 

11. What opinion did the nation entertain ofit? 

12. Was not this opinion unfounded ? 

13—15. What new scenes of contention arose ? 

16. What were the character and conduct of the earl of Peterborough ? 
18 19. Relate the particula-a of the battle of Almanza. 


SECTION II. 

Henceforth. sho said, in each ret urnine year. 

One stem 'he thistle and the rose shall bear; 

The thistle’s lasting grace—th<>u, O my rose, shalt he; 

The warlike thistle’s arm a sure defence to thee. — Haw «. 

1. D. 1707.) The councils of the queen had W/,l!o 
been governed by a whig ministry; for, though (ho clhke 
of Marlborough had first started in the tory interest, he soon 
joined the opposite faction, as he found them most sinecure 














































ANNE. 


289 


in their desires to humble the power of France. 'I tie whigs, 
therefore, still pursued the schemes of the late king; and 
impressed with a republican spirit of liberty, strove to 
humble despotism in every part of Europe. 2. In a go¬ 
vernment, where the reasoning of individuals, retired from 
power, generally leads those who command, the designs of 
the ministry must alter as the people happen t) change 
The people, in fact, were beginning to change. But pre 
vious to the disgrace of the whig ministry, whose fall was 
now hastening, a measure of the greatest importance took 
place in parliament; a measure that had been wished by 
many, but thought too difficult for execution. 3. What 1 
mean is, the union between the two kingdoms of England 
and Scotland ; which though they were governed by one 
sovereign since the accession of James the First, yet were 
still ruled by their respective parliaments, and often professed 
to pursue opposite interests and different designs. 

4. The attempt for an union was begun at the commence¬ 
ment of this reign; but some disputes arising relative to the 
trade of the East, the conference was broken up, and it was 
thought that an adjustment would be impossible. 5. It was 
revived by an act in either parliament, granting power to 
commissioners, named on the part of both nations, to treat 
on the preliminary articles of an union, which should after¬ 
wards undergo a more thorough discussion by the legislative 
body of both kingdoms. The choice of these commission¬ 
ers was left to the queen, and she took care that none should 
be employed but such as heartily wished to promote so de¬ 
sirable a measure. 

6. Accordingly, the queen having appointed commission¬ 
ers on boih sides, they met in the council-chamber of the 
Cockpit, near Whitehall, which was the place appointed for 
the conferences. As the queen frequently exhorted the 
commissioners to despatch the articles ol this famous Union 
were soon agreed to, and signed by the commissioners ; and 
it only remained to lay them before the parliaments of both 
nations. 

7. In this famous treaty it was stipulated that the succes- 
sion to the united kingdom should be vested in the house 
of Hanover ; that the united kingdoms should be represented 
bv one and the same parliament; that all the subjects ol 
Great Britain should enjoy a communion of privileges and 
advantages. 8. That they should have the same allowance 
and privileges with respect to commerce and customs ; that 

2 B 


290 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


the laws concerning' public right, civil government, and 
policy, should be the same through the two united King¬ 
doms ; but that no alteration should be made in the laws 
which concerned private rignts, except for the evidei t benefit 
of the subjects of Scotland. 9. 'That the courts of session, 
and all other courts of judicature in Scotland, should re¬ 
main, as then constituted by the laws of that kingdom, with 
the same authority and privileges as before the union ; and 
that Scotland should be represented in the parliament of 
Great Britain by sixteen peers and forty-five commoners, to 
be elected in such a manner as should be settled by che 
present parliament of Scotland. 10. That all peers of Scot¬ 
land should be considered as peers of Great Britain, and 
rank immediately after the English peers of the like degree 
at the tune of the union, and before such as should be 
created after it; that they should enjoy all privileges of 
English peers, except that of sitting or voting in parliament, 
or sitting upon the trial of peers ; and that all the insignis 
of royalty and government should remain as they were 
11. That all laws or statutes in either kingdom, as far as 
they may be inconsistent with the terms of these articles, 
should cease, and be declared void by the respective parlia¬ 
ments of the two kingdoms. These were the principal 
articles of the union ; and it only 'remained to obtain the 
sanction of the legislature of both kingdoms to give them 
authority. 

12. The arguments of these different assemblies were 
suited to the audience. To induce the Scots parliament to 
come into the measure, it was alleged, by the ministry and 
their supporters, that an entire and perfect union would be 
the solid foundation of a lasting peace. It would secure 
their religion, liberty, and property ; remove the animosities 
that prevailed among themselves, and the jealousies that 
subsisted between the two nations. 13. It would increase 
their strength, riches, and commerce; the whole island 
would be joined in affection, and freed from all apprehen¬ 
sions of different interests ; it would be enabled to resist all 
its enemies, support the protestant interests, and maintain 
the liberties of Europe. It was observed, that the less the 
wheels of government were clogged by a multiplicity of 
councils, the more vigorous would be their exertions. * 14. 
f hey were shown that the taxes which, in consequence 
of this union, they were to pay, were by no means so pro- 
portionably great as their share in the legislature that their 




ANNE. 


201 

fc'iN-cs did not amount to a seventieth part of those supplied 
oy Die English; and yet their share in the legislature was 
not a tenth part less. Such were the arguments in favour 
of the union addressed to the Scots parliament. 15. In the 
English houses it was observed, that a powerful and dan¬ 
gerous nation would thus for ever be prevented from giving 
them any disturbance. That, in case of any future rupture, 
England had every thing to lose, and nothing to gain, 
against a nation that was courageous and poor. 

10. On the other hand, the Scots were fired with indig¬ 
nation at the thought of losing their ancient and indepen¬ 
dent government. The nobility found themselves degraded 
in point of dignity and influence, by being excluded from 
their seats in parliament. The trading part of the nation 
beheld their commerce loaded with heavy duties, and con¬ 
sidered their new privileges of trading to the English plan¬ 
tations in the West Indies as a very uncertain advantage 
17. In the English house it also was observed, that the 
union of a rich with a poor nation would always be benefi¬ 
cial to the latter, and that the former could only hope for a 
paiticipation of their necessities. It was said that the Scots 
reluctantly yielded to this coalition, and it, might be likened 
to a marriage with a woman against her consent. 18. It 
was supposed to be an union made up of so many unmatched 
pieces, and such incongruous ingredients, that it could never 
take effect. It was complained that the proportion of the 
land-tax paid by the Scots was small, and unequal to their 
share in the legislature. 

19. At length, notwithstanding all opposition made by 
the tories, every article in the union was approved by a 
great majority in both parliaments. Thus all were obliged 
to acquiesce in an union of which they at first had not the 
sagacity to distinguish the advantage. 


Questions for Examination. 

1, By v/nom had the queen’s counsels hitherto been governed ? 

2. 3. What important measure took place in parliament? 

4— 6. By what means was the union effected ? 

7—1 i. Kelate the stipulations contained in this famous treaty. 
f2—14. What arguments were used to induce the Scots to come into the 
measure ? 

15 What arguments were made use of to the English ? 

!6 fn what manner did the Seofs leceive this message 

17 How w r as it received by th« English ? 

18 What opinion was held concerning it? 

19 Did the measure succeed ? 



292 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


SECTION III. 


Of Church and State who dearest deems 
Should carefully avoid extremes.— Dibiin. 

i. (A.D. 1708.) In the mean time the whig ministry was 
n very day declining. Among the number of those whom 
the dutchess of Marlborough had introduced to the queen, 
to contribute to her private amusement, was one Mrs. 
Masham, her own kinswoman, whom she had raised from 
indigence and obscurity. The dutchess, having gained the 
ascendent over the queen, became petulant and insolent, and 
relaxed in those arts by which she had risen. 2. Mrs. 
Masham, who had her fortune to make, was more humble 
and assiduous; she flattered the foibles of the queen, and 
assented to her prepossessions. She soon saw the queen’s 
inclination to the tory set of opinions, their divine right and 
passive obedience ; and instead of attempting to thwart her, 
as the dutchess had done, she joined in with her partiality, 
and even outdid her in her own way. 

3. This lady was, in fact, the tool of Mr. Harley, secre¬ 
tary of state, who also some time before had insinuated 
himself into the queen’s good graces, who had determined 
to sap the credit of the whig ministers. His aim was to 
unite the tory interest under his own shelter, and to expel 
the whigs from the advantages which they had long enjoyed 
under government. 

4. In this career of his ambition he chose for his coad¬ 
jutor Henry St. John, afterwards the famous lord Holing 
broke ; a man of great eloquence, and greater ambition, 
enterprising, restless, active, and haughty, with some wit and 
little principle. To this junto was added sir Simon liar 
court, a lawyer, a man of great abilities. 

5. It was now perceived that the people themselves began 
to be weary of a whig ministry, whom they formerly ca¬ 
ressed. To them they imputed the burdens under which 
they groaned,—burdens which they had been hitherto am 
mated to bear by the pomp of triumph ; but the load of 
which they felt in a pause of success. 

6. Harley, afterwards known by the title of lord Oxford 
was a* the bottom of all these complaints; and though they 
did not produce an immediate effect, yet they did not fail 
of a growing and steady operation. 

7. At length the whig party of the ministry opened their 
eves to the intrigues of the tories. But it was now too late ; 


A TV IV K. 


293 


they had entirely lost the confidence of the queen Harley 
Soon threw oflf the mask of friendship, and took more 
vigorous measures for the prosecution of his designs. In 
him the queen reposed all her trust, though he had now no 
visible concern in the administration. 8. The first trmmoh 
of the tories, in which the queen discovered a public par¬ 
tiality in their favour, was seen in a transaction of no great 
importance iti itself, but from the consequence it produced. 
The parties of the nation were eager to engage, and they 
Wanted but the watchword to begin. This was given by a 
man neither of abilities, property, nor power; but whom 
accident brought forward on this occasion. 

9. Henry Sacheverel was a clergyman bred at Oxford, 
of narrow intellects, and an overheated imagination. He 
had acquired some popularity among those who had dis¬ 
tinguished themselves by the name of high churchmen, and 
had taken all occasions to vent his animosity against the 
dissenters. At the summer assizes at Derby, he held forth 
in that strain before the judges. On the fifth of November, 
in St. Paul’s church, he, in a violent declamation, defended 
the doctrine of non-resistance, inveighed against the tolera¬ 
tion of dissenters, declared the church was dangerously at¬ 
tacked bv its enemies, and slightly defended by its false 
friends 10. He sounded the trumpet for the zealous, and 
exhorted the people to put on the whole armour of God. 
Sir Samuel Gerrard, lord mayor, countenanced this ha¬ 
rangue, which, though very weak both in matter and style, 
was published under his protection, and extolled by the 
tories as a masterpiece of writing. These sermons owed 
all their celebrity to the complexion of the times, and they 
are now deservedly neglected. 

11. Mr. Dolben, son of the archbishop of York, laid a 
complaint before the house of commons against these rhap 
sodies, and thus gave force to what would soon have been 
forgotten. The most violent paragraphs were read, and 
the sermons voted scandalous and seditious libels. Sadie 
verel was brought to the bar of the house, and he, far from 
disowning the writing of them, gloried in what he had 
done, and mentioned the encouragement lie had received to 
publish them from the lord mayor, who was then present. 
12. Being ordered to withdraw, it was resolved to impeach 
him of high crimes and misdemeanours at the bar of Mm 
house of lords ; Mr. Dolben was fixed upon to conduct the 
prosecution, in the name of the commons of England. A 

2 b 2 


291 


HISTOKV OF ENGLAND 


committee was appointed to draw up articles of impeach 
ment : Sacheverel was taken into custody : and a day was 
appointed for his trial before the lords in Westminster-hall, 

13. The eyes of the whole kingdom were turned upon 
this very extraordinary trial, which lasted three weeks, and 
excluded all other public business for the time. The queen 
herself was every day present as a private spectator, whilst 
vast multitudes attended the culprit each day as lie went to 
the hall, shouting as he passed, or silently praying for his 
success. The managers for the commons were sir Joseph 
Jekyl, Mr. Eyre, solicitor-general, sir Peter King, recorder 
general Stanhope, sir Thomas Parker, and Mr. Walpole. 
14. The doctor was defended by sir Simon Harcourt and 
Mr. Philips, and assisted by doctor Atterbury, doctor Small- 
ridge, and doctor Friend. While the trial continued, nothing 
could exceed the violence and outrage of the populace. 
They surrounded the queen’s sedan, exclaiming, “ God 
bless your majesty and the church ! We hope your majesty 
is for doctor Sacheverel.” 15. They destroyed several 
meeting-houses, plundered the dwellings of many eminent 
dissenters, and even proposed to attack the bank. The 
queen, in compliance with the request of the commons, 
published a proclamation for suppressing the tumults ; and 
several persons, being apprehended, were tried for high- 
treason. Two were convicted, and sentenced to die ; but 
neither suffered. 

16. When the commons had gone through their charge, 
the managers for Sacheverel undertook his defence with 
great art and eloquence. He afterwards recited a speech 
himself, which, from the difference found between it and 
his sermons, seemed evidently the work of another. 17. 
In it he solemnly justified his intentions towards the queen 
and her government. He spoke in the most respectful 
terms of the revolution, and the protestant succession. He 
maintained the doctrine of non-resistance as the tenet of the 
church in which he was brought up ; and in a pathetic con¬ 
clusion endeavoured to excite the pitv of his audience 


Questions for Examination. 

1; 2 What circumstances led to the fall of the whig ministers f 
3, 4. Who were the principal persons opposed to them ? 
f» What made the people dissatisfied ? 

6. Who was the cause of their discontent? 

7. in whom did the queen repose her trust? 




A VNR, 


203 


8. Tm what accident originated the contention between the two parties 
it Whai vv.js the subject of' Sacheverel’s writings i 
10 Who countenanced and extolled them ? 

11. What notice did parliament take of these writings ? 

12. What followed ? 

13 Who were the managers for the commons? 

14. By whom was he defended ? 

What was the conduct of the populace ? 

15 What outrages did they commit } 

16 17 What was the purport of Sacheverel’s defence . 


SECTION IV. 

Ncxf«to iho thundorer let Anne stand 

In pietr supreme ns in command ; 

Famed for victorious arms and eenerous aid. 

Young Austria’s refuge, and fierce Bourbon’s dread. — Lansdowno. 

1. (A.D. 1709.) At length, after much obstinate dispute 
and virulent altercation, Sacheverel was found guilty, by a 
majority of seventeen voices ; but no less than four-and- 
thirty peers entered a protest against this decision. He 
was prohibited from preaching for three years ; and his two 
sermons were ordered to be burnt by the hand of the com¬ 
mon hangman, in presence of the lord mayor and the two 
sheriffs. 'The lenity of this sentence, which was in a great 
measure owing to the dread of popular resentment, was 
considered by the tories as a triumph. 

2. Such was the complexion of the times, when the 
queen thought proper to summon a new parliament ; and 
being a friend to the tories herself, she gave the people an 
opportunity of indulging themselves in choosing representa¬ 
tives to her mind. In fact, very few were returned but such 
as had distinguished themselves by their zeal against the 
whig administration. 

3. In the mean time the campaign in Flanders was con¬ 
ducted with the most brilliant success. 'The duke of 
Marlborough had every motive to continue the war, as it 
gratified not only his ambition, but his avarice ; a passion 
that obscured his shining abilities. 

4. The king of France appeared extremely desirous of a 
peace, and resolved to solicit a conference. lie employed 
one Perkum, resident of the duke of Holstein at the Hague* 
to negotiate upon this subject, and he ventured also to solicit 
the duke himself in private. A conference was at length 
begun at Ger.ruydenbiirg, under the influence of Marlbo¬ 
rough, Eugene, and Zinzendorf, who were all three, from 
private motives, entirely averse to the treaty. 5. Upon this 
occasion the French ministers were subjected to every spe« 



tlfSTOT? Y Or ENGLAND. 


Z9C 

uies nf mortification. Spies wore placed upon all their 
conduct. Their master was insulted, and their letters were 
opened ; till at last Louis resolved to hazard another cam¬ 
paign. 0. It was only by insensible degrees that the queen 
seemed to acquire courage enough to second her inclinations, 
anil depose a ministry that had long been disagreeable to 
her. Harlev, however, who still shared her confidence, did 
rot fail to inculcate the popularity, the justice, and the secu¬ 
rity of such a measure ; and, in consequence of his advice, 
she began the changes, by transferring the post of lord- 
chamberlain from the duke of Kent to the duke of Shrews- 
bury, who had lately voted with the tories, and maintained 
an intimate correspondence with Mr. Harley. 7. Soon 
after the earl of Sunderland, secretary of state, and son-in- 
law to the duke of Marlborough, was displaced, and the earl 
of Dartmouth put in his room. Finding that she was 
rather applauded than condemned for this resolute proceed¬ 
ing, she resolved to become entirely free. 

8. Soon after the earl of Godolphin was divested of his 
office, and the treasury put in commission, subjected to 
the direction of Mr. Harley, who was appointed chancellor 
of the exchequer, and under-treasurer. 9. The earl of 
Rochester was declared president of the council, in the 
room of lord Somers. The staff of the lord-steward, being 
taken from the duke of Devonshire, was given to the duke 
of Buckingham ; and Mr. Boyle was removed from the 
secretary’s office to make way for Mr. Henry St. John. 
The lord chancellor having resigned the great seal, it was 
first put in commission, and then given to sir Simon Har- 
eourt. 10. The earl of Wharton surrendered his commis¬ 
sion of lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and that employment 
was conferred upon the duke of Ormond. Mr. George 
Grenville was appointed secretary of war, in the room of 
Mr. Robert Walpole; and, in a word, there was not one 
whig left in any office of the state, except the duke of 
Marlborough. He was still continued the reluctant general 
of the army ; but he justly considered himself as a ruin 
entirely undermined, and just ready to fall. 

11 But the triumph was not yet complete until the 
parliament was brought to confirm and approve the queen’s 
choice. Tim queen, in her speech, recommended the pro¬ 
secution of the war with vigour. The parliament were 
ardent in their expressions of zeal and unanimity. They 
exhorted her to discountenance all such principles and 


ANNE. 


297 


measures as had lately threatened her royal crown and 
dignity. This was but an opening to what soon alter fol 
lowed. 12. The duke of Marlborough, who but a few 
months before had been so highly extolled and caressed by 
the representatives of the people, was now become the 
object of their hatred and reproach. IIis avarice was justly 
upbraided ; his protracting the war was said to arise from 
that motive. Instances were every where given of his 
fraud and extortion. These might be true ; but party had 
no moderation, and even his courage and conduct were called 
in question. 13. To mortify the duke still more, the thanks 
of the house of commons were voted to the earl of Peter¬ 
borough for his services in Spain, when they w». re refused 
to the duke for those in Flanders ; and the lord-keeper, who 
delivered them to Peterborough, took occasion to drop some 
reflection against the mercenary disposition of his rival. 

14. Nothing now, therefore, remained of the whig sys 
tern, upon which this reign was begun, but the war, which 
continued to rage as fierce as ever, and which increased in 
expense every year as it went on. It was the resolution 
of the present ministry to put an end to it at any rate, as it 
had involved the nation in debt almost to bankruptcy ; and 
as it promised, instead of humbling the enemy, only to 
become habitual to the constitution. 

15. It only remained to remove the duke of Marlborough 
from his post, as he would endeavour to traverse all their 
negotiations. But here again a difficulty started; this step 
could not be taken without giving offence to the Dutch, who 
placed entire confidence in him ; they were obliged, there¬ 
fore, to wait for some convenient occasion. Upon his 
return from the campaign he was accused of having taken a 
bribe of six thousand pounds a year from a Jew, who con¬ 
tracted to supply the army with bread ; and the queen 
thought proper to dismiss him from all his employments. 

16. This was the pretext made use of, though his fall had 
been predetermined ; and though his receiving such a bribe 
was not the real cause of his removal, yet candour must 
confess that it ought to have been so. 

In the mean time, Prior, much more famous as a poet 
than a statesman, was sent over with proposals to France * 
and Menager, a mar of no great station, returned with 
Prior to London, with full powers to tre-' upon the pre¬ 
liminaries. 

17 The ministry having got thus far, the great difficulty 


298 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


still lay before tliem, of making the terms of peace agreeable 
to all the confederates. The earl of Strafford, who hao 
been lately recalled from the Hague, where he resided as 
anb^ssador, was now sent back to Holland, with orders to 
communicate to the pensionary Heinsius the preliminary 
proposals, to signify the queen’s approbation of them, and to 
propose a place where the plenipotentiaries should assemble. 
18. The Dutch were very averse to begin the conference, 
upon the inspection of the preliminaries. They sent over 
an envoy to attempt to turn the queen from her resolution; 
but, finding their efforts vain, they fixed upon Utrecht as a 
place of general conference, and they granted passports to 
ihe French ministers accordingly. 

19. 'The conference began at Utrecht, under the conduct 
*>f Robinson, bishop of Bristol, lord privy-seal, and the earl 
of Strafford, on the side of the English ; of Buys and Van* 
derdusson, on the part of the Dutch ; and of the marshal 
d’Uxelles, the cardinal Polignac, and Mr. Menager, in 
behalf of France. The ministers of the emperor and the 
duke of Savoy assisted, and the other allies sent also pleni¬ 
potentiaries, though with the utmost reluctance. 20. As 
England and France were the only two powers that were 
seriously inclined to peace, it may be supposed that all the 
other deputies served rather to retard than advance its pro¬ 
gress. They met rather to start new difficulties, and widen 
the breach, than to quiet the dissensions of Europe. 


Questions for Examination. 

J. Was Sachevere! found guilty? 

What was his sentence ? 

2. Which party prevailed in the new parliament ? 

3 —5. What took place in Flanders ? 

6- : 10 What change in the ministry tooK place? 

11. In what manner did the parliament act ? 

12. 13. What conduct was observed towards the duke of Marlborough 

14 What was the resolution of the present ministry? 

15 With what crime was Marlborough charged ? 
lb, 17. What proceedings were now adopted ? 

18 Were the Dutch averse to the measure? 

l‘J \Vhere did the conference begin ? By whom was it conducted ? 
20 "What retarded its progress ? 



ANNE. 


290 


SECTION V. 

No rfligrr/ than Anne’s in war more justly crown’d. 

No ret an for learning justly more renown’d ; 

El’isabetl a Shiiksneaie own’d ; 

Charles Could a Milion boast; 

Rut Anne saw N'Avion high enthroned. 

Amid the heavenly host. — Dilulin. 

1. (A.l). 1712.) 'J'he English ministers, therefore, finding 
multiplied obstructions from the deliberations of their allies, 
set on foot a private negotiation with France. They stipu¬ 
lated certain advantages for the subjects of Great Britain in 
a concerted plan of peace. They resolved to enter into 
such mutual confidence with the French as would anticipate 
ail clandestine transactions to the prejudice of the coalition. 

2. In the beginning of August, secretary St. John, who 
had been created lord viscount Bolingbroke, was sent to the 
court of Versailles to remove all obstructions to the separate 
treaty. He was accompanied by Mr. Prior and the abbe 
Gualtier, and treated with the most distinguished marks of 
respect. He was caressed bv the French king and the 
marquis de Torcy, with whom lie adjusted the principal 
interests of the duke of Savoy and the elector of Bavaria. 

3. At length the treaties of peace and commerce between 
England and France being agreed on by the plenipotentiaries 
on either side, and ratified by the queen, she acquainted the 
parliament of the steps she had taken. 

4. The articles of this famous treaty were longer can¬ 
vassed, and more warmly debated, than those of any other 
treaty read of in history. 'The number of different interests 
concerned, and the great enmity and jealousy subsisting 
between all, made it impossible that all could be satisfied* 
and indeed there seemed no other method of obtaining 
peace but that which was taken, for the two principal powers 
concerned to make their own articles, and to leave the rest 
for a subject of future discussion. 

5. The first stipulation was, that Philip, now acknow¬ 
ledged king of Spain, should renounce all right to the 
crown of France, the union of two such powerful kingdoms 
being thought dangerous to the liberties of Europe. It was 
agreed that the duke of Berri, Philip’s brother, and after 
him in succession, should also renounce his right to the 
Crown of Spain, in case he became king of Frame. 0. It 
was stipulated that the duke of Savoy should possess the 
island of Sicily, with the title of king, together with Feins 
trelles, and other places on the continent; whi h increase 
of dominion was in some measure made out of the spods 
of the French monarchy. The Dutch had that barrier 


300 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


granted them, which they so long sought after ; and if the 
crown of France was deprived of some dominions to enrich 
the duke of Savoy, on the other hand the house of Austria 
was taxed to supply the wants of the Hollanders, who ivpr 
put in possession of the strongest towns in Flanders. 7 
With regard to England, its glory and its interests wore 
seemed. The fortifications of Dunkirk, a harbour that 
might be dangerous to their trade in time of war, were 
ordered to be demolished, and its port destroyed. Spain 
gave up all right to Gibraltar and the island of Minorca. 
France resigned her pretensions to Hudson’s Bay, Nova 
Scotia, and Newfoundland ; but they were left in possession 
of Cape Breton, and the liberty of drying their fish upon 
the shore. 8. Among these articles, glorious to the English 
nation, their setting free the French protestants confined in 
the prisons and galleys for their religion, was not the least 
meritorious. For the emperor, it was stipulated, that he 
should possess the kingdom of Naples, the dutchy of Milan, 
and the Netherlands. The king of Prussia was to have 
Upper Guelder; and a time was fixed for the emperor’s 
acceding to these articles, as he had for some time obsti- 
nately refused to assist at the negotiation. 9. Thus Europe 
seemed to be formed into one great republic, the different 
members of which were cantoned out to different governors, 
and the ambition of anv one state amenable to the tribunal 
of all. Thus it appears that the English ministry did 
justice to all the world; but their country denied that jus¬ 
tice to them. 

10. But while the whigs were attacking the tory minis 
ters from without, these were in much greater danger from 
their own internal dissensions. Lord Oxford and lord Bo- 
Iiugbroke, though they had started with the same principles 
and designs, yet, having vanquished other opposors, now 
began to turn their strength against each other. Both began 
to firm separate interests, and to adopt different principles. 
Oxford's plan was the more moderate ; Bolingbroke’s the 
more vigorous, but the more secure. 11. Oxford, it was 
thought, was entirely for the Hanoverian succession ; Bo- 
lingbroke had some hopes of bringing in the prelcndei 
But though they hated each other most sincerely, yet they 
were for a while kept together for the good offices of their 
friends and adherents, who had the melancholy prospect of 
seeing the citadel of their hopes, while openly besieged 
from without, secretly undermined within. 





ANNE 


301 

12. This was a mortifying prospect for the tories ; hut 
it was more particularly displeasing to the queen, who dnilv 
saw her favourite minister declining, while her own health 
kept pace with their contentions. Her constitution was 
now quite broken. One tit of sickness succeeded another; 
and what completed the ruin of her health was the anxiety 
of her mind. These dissensions had such an effect upon 
her spirits and constitution, that she declared she could not 
outlive it, and immediately sunk into a state of lethargic in¬ 
sensibility. 13. Notwithstanding all the medicines which 
the physicians could prescribe, the distemper gained ground 
so fast, that the day afterwards they despaired of her life, 
and the privy council were assembled on the occasion. 

All the members, without distinction, being summoned 
from the different oarts of the kingdom, began to provide 
for the security of the constitution. 14. They sent a letter 
to the elector of Hanover, informing him of the queen’s 
desperate situation, and desiring him to repair to Holland, 
where he would be attended by a British squadron to con¬ 
vey him to England. At the same time they despatched 
instructions to the earl of Strafford, at the Hague, to desire 
the states-general to be ready to perform the guarantee of 
the protestant succession. 15. Precautions were taken to 
secure the sea-ports ; and the command of the fleet was 
oestowed upon the earl of Berkeley, a professed whig. 
These measures, which were all dictated by that party, 
answered a double end. It argued their own alacrity in the 
cause of their new sovereign, and seemed to imply a danger 
to the state from the disaffection of the opposite interest. 

16. On the thirtieth of July, the queen seemed some¬ 
what relieved by medicines, rose from her bed about eight 
o’clock, and walked a little. After some time, casting her 
eyes on a clock that stood in her chamber, she continued to 
gaze on it for some minutes. One of the ladies in waiting 
asked her what she saw there more than usual, to which 
the queen only answered by turning her eyes upon her 
with a dying look. 17. She was soon after seized with a 
fit of apoplexy. She continued all night in a state of stu¬ 
pefaction, ami expired the next morning, in the forty-ninth 
year of her age. She reigned more than twelve years over 
a people that was now risen to the highest pitch of refine¬ 
ment; that had attained by their wisdom all the advantages 


302 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


of opulence and, by their valour, all the happiness of Sft 
purity and conquest.* 


Questions for Examination. 

1, 2. What circumstances preceded the treaty with France ? 

3, 4. After us conclusion, in what manner was it received? 

5. What was the first stipulation ? 

6. What the next ? 

7- How did the treaty regard England ? 

8, Which article of the treaty was meritorious to the English nation ? 
What were the stipulations regarding the emperor and the king of 
Prussia ? 

9 What appearance did Europe now exhibit ? 

10. What dissension took place between Oxford and Bolingbroke 

11. What was thought to he then different views ? 

12. What effect had this disunion on the queen ? 

13—15. When the queen’s life was despaired of, what measures were 
taken ? 

16. What immediately preceded the queen’s death ? 

17. flow long did she reign ? 

What was the situation of England at her death ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS 


Pope. 

a. n. 

Clement XI.. 1700 

Emperors of Germany. 

Leopold.1058 

Joseph 1.1705 

Charles VI.1711 

Emperor of the Turks. 

Musiapha II.1695 


A. D. 

Achmet III.1703 

King of France. 

Louis XIV.1643 

King of Spain. 

Philip V.1700 

King of Portugal. 
Pedro II.1683 


A. D 

John V.170? 

King of Denmark. 

Frederick IV.I5gfl 

King of Sweden. 

Charles XII .1697 

King of Prussia. 
Frederick I.i701 


* It has been a subject of general remark, that England flourished m ,re under 
tile reigns of Elizabeth and Anne, than under those of its most distinguished 
kings. Though the actions and principles of these princesses were widely differ¬ 
ent, yet their reigns were equally P inenihered with gratitude bv their subjects, 
and both of them have acquired the endearing epithets of good queens. VVith a 
pleasing countenance and melodious voice, were united in the person of queen 
Anne those amiable virtues, which add so great a lustre to the charms of heauty, 
and place the female character in so admirable a light. Good matured, aifable 
and kind , she was an affectionate wife, a tencer mother, a warm friend, a gene¬ 
rous patroness, and a benevolent and merciful sovereign "hough she was defi¬ 
cient in the shining qualities of queen Elizabeth yet she surpassed that princess 
m her fondness for her subjects; and .as Elr/.abetn acquired the good will of the 
English Sy the greatness of her actions, so Anne was beloved by her people, be- 
:suse she evinced a maternal r flection for them Nor should the fact pass uiiro- 
lined, that notwithstanding the prevalence of factions and the dissensions of par 
ties, during this reign, the blood of no subject was shed .‘‘or treason 


































GEORGE I. 


803 


EMINENT PERSONS. 


Ch»«rchil1, duke of Marlborough ;* lord Bolmghroke ; sir William Temple; 
Bovle. earl of Orrery: Swill; Sidney, earl of (iodol|ihin ; Harley, earl o( Oxford; 
Monlaunl, earl of Peterborough; Howard, earl of Suffolk ; D. Finch, earl of 
Nottingham ; G Grenville, lord Lansdowne ; Philip, duke of Wharton: R. lord 
Raymond : lord-chancellor King ; T. lord Paget; Sarah dutchess of Marlborough, 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 


GEORGE I. 


Born 1660. Died June 11, 1727. Began to reign An-rust 1 1714. Reigned 123 years. 


SECTION 1. 


The common weal should be the first pursuit 
Ol the crown'd warrior; for the royal brows 
The people first enwreathed, — Seward. 


1 (A. D. 1714.) Pursuant to the act of succession, 
George the First, son of Ernest Augustus, first elector of 
Brunswick, and the princess Sophia, grand-daughter to 

* John Churchill, duke of Marlborough, was the son of sir Winston Churchill, 
anti was born at Ashe, in Devonshire, in 1650. At tlie age of 12 he became page 
lo the duke of Y'ork About Itititi he was made an ensign in the guards, and 
served for some time at Tangier; and tins seems to have decided him in the 
choice of a profession, lie was a great favourite at court, and the duchess of 
Cleveland presented him £ 5.000, with which he purchased a life-annuity. In 
1772 he accompanied the duke of Monmouth to the continent as a captain of 
grenadiers, and there fought under the great Turenne, with whom he was known 
by the name of the handsome Englishman. At the siege of Maestricht he dis¬ 
tinguished himself so highly as to obtain the public thanks of the king of France. 
Returning to England, he advanced from one post to another. On the accession 
of James II.. he was created baron Churchill of Sundridge, and on that of Wil¬ 
liam and Mary, earl of Marlborough. When Anne took the throne in 1702, lie 
was made captain general of all the forces at home and abroad, and sent plenipo¬ 
tentiary to the Hague, where he was also made captain general by the stales. 
This was followed by a series of the most splendid campaigns ever made by the 
armies of England. But mi 1711, lie was removed from his command by a minis¬ 
try that was opposed to him. At the accession of George I. he was reinstated, 
After assisting in the defeat of ihe rebellion in 1715, lie withdrew from public 
employments, and died in 1722, in the 73d year of his age. 

'Pile dutchess, his widow, a lady of great ambition and avarice, became very 
celebrated, and died in 1744, after amassing great wealth. 

The palac«‘ which was built for him bv the nation at Woodstock, near Oxford, 
after his celebrated victory at Blenheim, is one*of the finest structures in the 
kingdom. 



Blenheim. 



Lie heavy on him, earth, for he 
Laid many a heavy load on thee. 


Too many consider the criticism unjust. 










304 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


James the First, ascended the British throne. His mature 
acre he being now fifty-four years old, liis sagacity and 
experience, his numerous alliances, and the general Iran 
quillity of Europe, all contributed to establish his interests 
and to promise him a peaceable and happy reign. 2. His 
abilities, though not shining, were solid ; he was of a very 
different disposition from the Stuart family whom he suc- 
eeded. These were known, to a proverb, for leaving their 
friends in extremity. George, on the contrary, soon after 
his arrival in England, was heard to say, “ My maxim is, 
never to abandon my friends, to do justice to all the world, 
and to fear no man.” 

3. To these qualifications of resolution and perseverance 
he joined great application to business. However, one fault 
with respect to England remained behind ; he studied the 
interest of those subjects ne had left more than those he 
came to govern. 

4. The queen had no sooner resigned her breath, than 
the privy-council met, and three instruments were produced, 
by which the elector appointed several of his known adhe¬ 
rents to be added as lords-justices to seven great officers of 
the kingdom. Orders also were immediately issued out for 
proclaiming George, king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. 
The regency appointed the earl of Dorset to carry him the 
intimation of his accession to the crown, and to attend him 
on his journey to England. They sent the general officers, 
in whom they could confide, to their posts , they reinforced 
the garrison of Portsmouth, and appointed the celebrated 
Mr. Addison secretary of state. 5. To mortify the late 
ministry the more, lord Bolingbroke was obliged to wait 
every morning in the passage among the servants with his 
bag of papers, where there were persons purposely placed 
to insult and deride him. No tumult appeared, no commo. 
tion arose against the accession of the new king, and this 
gave a strong proof that no rational measures were even 
taken to obstruct his exaltation. 

6. When hef first landed at Greenwich, he was received 
by the duke of Northumberland, captain of the life-guard, 
and the lords of the regency. When he retired to his bed 
chamber, he sent for such of the nobility as had distin 
guished themselves by their zeal for his succession. Bu* 
the duke of Ormond, the lord-chancellor, and the lord-trea 
surer, found themseives excluded. 

7. The king ol a faction is but the sovereign of half his 


GEonr.E i 


305 

subjects Of this, however, the new-elected monarch did 
uot. seen: lo be sensible. It was his misfortune, and con¬ 
sequently that of the nation, that he was hemmed round by 
men who soured him with their own interests. None now 
but the leaders of a party were admitted into employment. 
The whigs, while they pretended to secure the crown for 
their king, were, with all possible arts, confirming their own 
interests, extending their connexions, and giving laws to 
the sovereign. 8. An instantaneous and total change was 
made in all the offices of trust, honour, and advantage. The 
whigs governed the senate and the court, whom they would 
have oppressed ; bound the lower orders of people with 
severe laws, and kept them at a distance by vile distinctions ; 
and taught them to call this—liberty ! 

9. These partialities soon raised discontents among the peo¬ 
ple, and the king’s attachment considerably increased the 
discontents throughout the kingdom. The clamour of the 
church’s being in danger was revived. Birmingham, Bris¬ 
tol, Norwich, and Reading, still remembered the spirit with 
v Lich they had declared for Sacheverel; and now the cry 
was, “ Down with the whigs, and Sacheverel for ever !” 

10. Upon tht* first meeting of the rew parliament, in 
which the whigs, with the king at their head, were predo¬ 
minant, nothing was expected but the most violent measures 
against the late ministry, nor were the expectations of man¬ 
kind disappointed. (A.D. 1714.) 

11. The lords professed their hopes that the king would 
he able to recover the reputation of the kingdom on the con¬ 
tinent, the loss of which they affected to deplore. The 
commons went much further ; they declared their resolutior. 
to trace out those measures by which- the country was de¬ 
pressed; they resolved to seek after those abettors on whom 
the pretender seemed to ground his hopes ; and they deter¬ 
mined to bring such to condign punishment. 

12. It was the artifice, during this and the succeeding 
reign, to stigmatize all those who testified their discontent 
against government as papists and jacobites. All who at¬ 
tempted to speak against the violence of their measures were 
reproached as designing to bring in the pretender ; and mosi 
people were consequently afraid to murmur, since discontent 
was so near akin to treason. The people, therefore, behelc 
the violence of their conduct in silent fright, internally dis 
approving, yet not daring to avow their detestation. 

13. A committee was appointed, consisting ol twenty 

2 c 2 


806 


HISTORY OP ENGLAND 


persons, to inspect all the papers relative to the late negoii 
ation for peace ; and to pick out such of them as might serve 
as subjects of accusation against the late ministry. Al'tei 
some time spent in this disquisition, Mr. Walpole, as chair¬ 
man of the committee, declared to the house that a report 
was drawn up ; and in the mean time moved that a wariant 
might be issued for apprehending Mr. Matthew Prior and 
Mr. Thom as Harley, who, being in the house, were imme¬ 
diately taken into custody. 14. He then impeached lord 
Bolingbroke of high-treason. This struck some of the 
members with amazement: but they were still more asto¬ 
nished, when lord Coningsbv, rising up, was heard to say 
“ 'The worthy chairman has impeached the hand, but I im 
peach the head ; he has impeached the scholar, and I the 
master ; I impeach Robert earl of Oxford and the earl of 
Mortimer of high-treason, and other crimes and misdemea¬ 
nours.” 


Questions for Examination. . 

1. Under what circumstances did George I. ascend the throne? 

2. What were his abilities and disposition ? 

What was his maxim ? 

3. What fault has been attributed to him ? 

4. What was the first act of the privy council? 

5 In what manner was Bolingbroke treated ? 

6 By whom was the king received on his landing? 

7 By whom was the king advised, and what was the result ? 

8, 9. What did these partialities produce ? 

10, 11. In what manner did the new parliament act? 

12. What did their proceedings produce ? 

13, 14. For what purpose was a committee appointed ? 


SECTION II. 

Where Scotland's cloud-capped hills appear. 

Sec Mur the rebel standard rear: 

The rash pretender's hopes are vain; 

His followers dispersed or slain.— Davies. 

I. (A.D. 1714.) When lord Oxford appeared in the house 
of lords the day following, he was avoided by the peers as 
infectious ; and he had now an opportunity of discovering 
the baseness of mankind. When the articles were read 
against him in the house of commons, a warm debate arose 
upon that in which he was charged with having advised the 
French king of the manner of gaining Tournay from the 
Hutch. 2. Mi. Walpole alleged that it was treason. Sir 
Joseph Jckyl, a known whig, said that he could never be 
of opinion that it amounted to treason. It was his principle 




GEORGE I. 


307 

he said, to do justice to all men, from the highest to the 
lowest. He hoped he might pretend to some knowledge of 
the law, and would not scruple to declare, upon this part of 
the question, in favour of the criminal. 3. To this Wal¬ 
pole answered, with great warmth, that there were several 
persons, both in and out of the committee, who did not in 
the least yield to that member in point of honesty, and ex¬ 
ceeded him in the knowledge of the laws, and yet were 
satisfied that the charge in that article amounted to high- 
treason. 4. This point being decided against the earl, and 
the other articles proved by the house, the lord Coningsby, 
attended by the whig members, impeached him soon after 
at the bar of the house of lords ; demanding, at the same 
time, that, he might lose his seat, and be committed to cus¬ 
tody. When this point came to be debated in the house of 
lords, a violent altercation ensued. Those who still adhered 
to the deposed minister, maintained the injustice and danger 
of such proceedings. 5. At last the earl himself rose up, 
and with great tranquillity observed, that, for his own part, 
he always acted by the immediate directions and command 
of the queen, his mistress : he had never offended against 
any known law, and was unconcerned for the life of an in¬ 
significant old man. Next day he was brought to the bar, 
where he received a copy of his indictment, and was allow¬ 
ed a month to prepare his answer. Though Dr. Mead de¬ 
clared, that if the earl should be sent to the Tower his life 
would be in danger, it was carried in the house that he should 
be committed. 

6. At the same time the duke of Ormond and lord Boling- 
broke, having omitted to surrender themselves (for they had 
actually fled to the continent) within a limited time, it was 
ordered that the earl-marshal should rase out their names 
and arms from among the list of peers; and inventories were 
taken of their estates and possessions, which were declared 
forfeited to the crown. 

7. Lord Oxford being confined in the Tower, he continued 
there for two years, during which time the nation was in a 
continual ferment, from an actual rebellion that was carried 
on unsuccessfully. After the execution of some lords, who 
were taken in arms, the nation seemed glutted with blood, 
and that was the time that lord Oxford petitioned to be 
brought to trial. 8. He knew that the fury of the nation 
was spent on objects that were really culpable, and expected 
that his case would look like innocence itself compared to 


308 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


theirs. A day, therefore, at his own request, was assigned 
him, and the commons were ordered to prepare for theii 
charge. At the appointed time the peers repaired to the 
court in Westminster-hall, where lord Cowper presided as 
lord high steward. 9. But a dispute arising between the 
lords and commons, concerning the mode of his trial, the 
lords voted that the prisoner should be set at liberty. To 
this dispute he probably owed the security of his title and 
fortune ; for, as to the articles importing him guilty of high- 
treason, they were at once malignant and frivolous, so that 
his life was in no manner of danger. 

10. In the mean time these vindictive proceedings excited 
the indignation of the people, who perceived that the ave¬ 
nues to royal favour were closed against all but a faction, 
'rite flames of rebellion were actually kindled in Scotland. 
The earl of Mar, assembling three hundred of his own vas¬ 
sals in the Highlands, proclaimed the pretender at Castle- 
down, and set up his standard at a place called Braemaer, 
assuming the title of lieutenant-general of his majesty’s 
forces. 11. To second these attempts, two vessels arrived 
in Scotland from France, with arms, ammunition, and a 
number of officers, together with assurances to the earl, that 
the pretender himself would shortly come over to head his 
own forces. The earl, in consequence of this promise, soon 
found himself at the head of ten thousand men, well armed 
and provided. 12. The duke of Argvle., apprized of his in¬ 
tentions, and at any rate willing to prove his attachment to 
the present government, resolved to give him battle in the 
neighbourhood of Dumblair., though his forces did not amount 
to half the number of the enemy. After an engagement, 
which continued several hours, in the evening both sides 
drew oil, and both sides claimed the victory. 13. Though 
the possession of the field was kept by neither, yet certainlv 
all the honour and all the advantages of the day belonged to 
the duke of Argyle. It was sufficient for him to have inter¬ 
rupted the progress of the enemy ; for, in their circumstances, 
delay was defeat. The earl of Mar soon found his disap¬ 
pointment and losses increase. The castle of Inverness, ot 
which he was in possession, was delivered up to the king 
by lord Lovat, who had hitherto professed to act in the in¬ 
terest of the pretender. 14. The marquis of Tullibardine 
forsook the earl, in order to defend his own part of the conn 
try ; anti many of the clans, seeing no likelihood of coming 
soon to a second engagement, returned quietly home * lot 


GEORGE 1 309 

an irregular army is much easier led to battle than mduced 
10 bear the fatigues of a campaign. 

15. In the mean time the rebellion was much more un¬ 
successfully prosecuted in England. From tne time the 
pretender had undertaken this wild project at Paris, in which 
the duke of Ormond and lord Bolingbroke were engaged, 
lord Stair, the English ambassador there, ban penetrated all 
his designs, and sent faithful accounts of ail his measures, 
and all his adherents, to the ministry at home. Upon the 
first rumour, therefore, of an insurrection, they imprisoned 
several lords and gentlemen, of whom they had a suspicion. 
10. The earls of Home, Wintown, Kinnoul, and others, 
were committed to the castle of Edinburgh. The king ob¬ 
tained leave from the lower house to seize sir William 
VVyndham, sir John Paekington, Harvey Combe, and others. 
The lord® Lansdowne and Duplin were taken into custody. 
Sir William Wyndham’s father-in-law, the duke of Somer¬ 
set, offered to become bound for his appearance, but his 
surety was refused. 


Questions for Examination, 

1. What was the conduct of the peers towards lord Oxford ? 

2. In what way was he defended by sir John Jekyl? 

3. What was the answer of Walpole ? 

4. Who impeached the earl of Oxford before the lords ? 

5. What answer did his lordship make to the charge ? 

6. What proceedings were taken against Ormond and Bolingbroke? 

7. In what state was the nation at this time ? 

8 Under what circumstances did Oxford request his trial ? 

9. What occasioned his being set at liberty ? 

10. What excited the indignation of the people ? 

II —14 Relate the particulars of the rebellion of Scotland. 

15 Who, penetrating into the w ild project of the pretender, sent accounts of 
ad his measures ? 

16. Who were imprisoned in consequence ? 


SECTION III. 

Swiff to the north his troops he leads 
O’er rapid floods and hills of snow; 

No toil the glorious march impedes 
That bears the Uriton to the foe. — Avon 

l. (A.D. 1715 .) All these precautions were not able to 
stop the insurrection in the western counties, where it was 
already begun. However, all their preparations were weak 
and nl-conducted, every measure was betrayed to government 
as soon as projected, and many revolts suppressed in the 
very outset. 2. 'The university of Oxford was treated with 
great severity on this occasion. Major-general Pepper, with 




HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


:U0 

a strong detachment of dragoons, took possession of tne city 
at daybreak, declaring that he would instantly shoot any ot 
the students who should presume to appear without the limits 
of their respective colleges. The insurrections in the northern 
counties came to greater maturity. 3. In the month oi Oc¬ 
tober, 1715, the earl of Derwentwater, and Mr. Forster, took 
the field with a large body of horse, and being joined by 
some gentlemen from the borders of Scotland, proclaimed 
the pretender. Their first attempt was to seize upon New¬ 
castle, in which they had many friends, but they found the 
gates shut against them, and were obliged to retire to Hex¬ 
ham. 4. To oppose these, general Carpenter was detached 
by government with a body of nine hundred men, and an 
engagement was houily expected. The rebels had pro¬ 
ceeded by the way of Kendal and Lancaster to Preston, of 
which place they took possession without any resistance. 
But this was the last stage of their ill-advised incursion ; for 
general Wills, at the head of seven thousand men, came up 
to the town to attack them, and from his activity there was 
no escaping. 5. They now, therefore, began to raise barri- 
cados, and to place the town in a posture of defence, repuls¬ 
ing the first attack of the royal army with success. Next 
day, however, Wills was reinforced by Carpenter, and the 
:own was invested on all sides. In this deplorable situation, 
to which they were reduced by their own rashness, Forstei 
hoped to capitulate with the general, and accordingly sent 
colonel Oxburgh, who had been taken prisoner, with a 
trumpeter, to propose a capitulation. 6. This, however, 
Wills refused, alleging that he would not treat with rebels, 
and that the only favour they had to expect was to be spared 
from immediate slaughter. These were hard terms, yet no 
better could be obtained. They accordingly laid down their 
arms, and were put under a strong guard ; all the noblemen 
and leaders were secured, and a few of the officers tried for 
deserting from the royal army, and shot by order of a court- 
martial. 'Phe common men were imprisoned at Chester 
and Liverpool ; the noblemen and considerable officers weie 
sent to London, and led through the streets, pinioned and 
bound together, to intimidate their party. 

7. 'die pretender might, by this time, have been con 
vinced of the vanity of his expectations, in supposing that 
the whole country would rise up in his cause. His affairs 
were actually desperate ; yet, with his usual infatuation, he 
resolved to hazard his person among his friends in Scotland 


GEORGE I. 


311 

at a time when such a measure was too late for success. 8 
Passing, therefore, through France in disguise, and embark* 
mg in a small vessel at Dunkirk, he arrived, after a passage 
of a few days, on the coast of Scotland, with only six gen 
tlnnen in his train. He passed unknown through Aberdeen 
to Feterosse, where he was met by the earl of Mar, and 
about thirty noblemen and gentlemen of the first quality. 
9. There he was solemnly proclaimed. His declaration, 
dated at Commercy, was printed and dispersed. He went 
from thence to Dundee, where he made a public entry, and 
in two days more he arrived at Scoon, where he intended to 
have tbe ceremony of the coronation performed. He order¬ 
ed thanksgivings to be made for his safe arrival ; he enjoined 
the ministers to pray for him in their churches; and, with¬ 
out the smallest share of power, went through the ceremo¬ 
nies of royalty, which threw an air of ridicule on all his 
conduct. 10. Having thus spent some time in unimportant 
parade, he resolved to abandon the enterprise with the same 
levity with which it was undertaken. Having made a speech 
to his grand council, he informed them of his want of money, 
arms, and ammunition, for undertaking a campaign, and 
therefore deplored that he was compelled to leave them. He 
once more embarked on board a small French ship that lay 
in the harbour of Montrose, accompanied by several lords, 
his adherents, and in five days arrived at Gravelin. 

11. In this manner ended a rebellion, which nothing but 
imbecility could project, and nothing but rashness could 
support. But though the enemy was no more, the fury of 
the victors did not seem in the least to abate with success. 
The law was now put in force with all its terrors ; and the 
prisons of London were crowded with those deluded 
wretches, whom the ministry seemed resolved not to pardon 

12. The commons, in their address to the crown, declared 
they would prosecute in the most rigorous manner the authors 
of the late rebellion. In consequence of which the earls of 
Derwentwater, Nithisdale, Carnwath, and Wintown, tlie 
lords Widrington, Kenmuir, and Nairne, were impeached, 
and, upon pleading guilty, all but lord Wintown received 
sentence of death. No entreaties could soften the ministry 
to spare these unhappy men. Tbe countess of Derwent¬ 
water, with her sister and several other ladies of the first die* 
Unction, being introduced into the presence of the king, be¬ 
sought Ids clemency for her husband, but without effect. 

13. Orders were despatched for executing the lords Der 


332 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



Countess of Derwentwater interceding for her husband. 


wentwater, Nithisdale. and Kenmuir immediately ; the rest 
were respited to a farther time. Nithisdale, however, had 
the good fortune to escape in women’s clothes, which were 
brought to him by his mother, the night before he was to 
have been executed. Derwentwater and Kenmuir were 
brought to the scaffold on Tower-hill at the time appointed. 
Both underwent their sentence with calm intrepidity, pitied 
by all, and seemingly less moved themselves than those who 
beheld them. 

14. In the beginning of April, commissioners for trying 
the rebels met in the court of common pleas, when bills 
were found against Mr. Forster, Mr. Maekitosnh, and twenty 
of their confederates. 

15. Forster escaped from Newgate, and reached the con¬ 
tinent in safety ; the rest pleaded not guilty. Pitts, the 
keeper of Newgate, being suspected of having connived at 
Forster’s escape, was tried for his life, but acquitted. Yet, 
notwithstanding this, Mackintosh and several other prisoners 
broke from Newgate, after having mastered the keeper ami 
turnkey, and disarmed the sentinel. 16. The court pro¬ 
ceeded to the trial of those that remained : four or five were 
hanged, drawn, and quartered at Tyburn ; two-and-twenty 
were executed at Preston and Manchester; and about a 
thousand prisoners experienced the king’s mercy, if such it 
might be called, to be transported to North America. 

17 A rupture with Spain, which ensued some time after, 




















































































GEORGE I. 


313 


served once more to raise ‘the declining expectati ons cf the 
pretender and his adherents. It was hoped that, by the 
assistance of cardinal Alberoni, the Spanish min ster, a new 
msuirection might be carried on in England. The duke of 
Orrnond was the person fixed upon to conduct this expedi¬ 
tion ; and lie obtained from the Spanish court a fleet of ten 
ships of war and transports, having cm board six thousand 
regular troops, with arms for twelve thousand more. 18 
But fortune was still as unfavourable as ever. Having set 
sail, and proceeded as far as Cape Finisterre, he was encoun 
tered by a violent storm, which disabled his fleet, and frus¬ 
trated the expedition. This misfortune, together with the 
bad success of the Spanish arms in Sicily, and other parts 
of Europe, induced Philip to wish for peace ; and he at last 
consented to sign the quadruple alliance. This was at that 
time thought an immense acquisition, but England, though 
she procured the ratification, had no share in the advantage 
of the treaty. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 Of what nature was the insurrection in the western counties ? 

2. In what manner was the university of Oxford treated ? 

3. By whom was the pretender first proclaimed ? 

4. Relate the manner in which they were opposed. 

5. 6. What was the result of the siege of Preston ? 

8, 9. What was the next proceeding of the pretender ? 

JO. What was his conduct on abandoning this enterprise ? 

11. What was the conduct of the victors ? 

12 What was the declaration of the commons ? and what was the conso 
quence ? 

13. What orders were now despatched ? 

14 -16. Relate the particulars which regarded the other rebels. 

17. What rupture raised the declining hopes of the pretender? 

18. What was the result ? 


SECTION IV. 

The South Sea bubble now appears. 

Which caused some smiles, some countless tears. 

And set halt Europe by the ears. — Dibdin- 

1, (A.D. 1721.) It was about this time that one John 
Law, a Scotchman, had cheated France by erecting a com¬ 
pany under the name of the Mississippi, which promised 
that deluded people great wealth, but which ended in involv¬ 
ing the French nation in great distress. It was now that 
the people of England were deceived by a project entirely 
similar, which is remembered by the name of the Soutli 

2D 




314 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Sea Scheme, and which was felt long after by ♦housands 
2. To explain this as concisely as possible, it is to be ob¬ 
served, that ever since the revolution under king William, 
the government, not having had sufficient supplies gramrd 
by parliament, or what was granted requiring time to be 
collected, they were obliged to borrow money from several 
different companies of merchants, and, among the rest, from 
hat company which traded to the South Sea. The South 
ea company having made up their debt to the government 
ten millions, instead of six hundred thousand pounds, which 
they usually received as interest, were satisfied with five 
hundred thousand pounds. 

3. It was in this situation of things that one Blount, who 
had been bred a scrivener, and was possessed of all the 
cunning and plausibility requisite for such an undertaking, 
proposed to the ministry, in the name of the South Sea 
company, to buy up all the debts of the different companies 
of merchants, and thus to become the sole creditor of the 
state. 4. The terms he offered to government were ex¬ 
tremely advantageous. 'The South Sea company was to 
redeem the debts of the nation out of the hands of the 
private proprietors, who were creditors to the government, 
upon whatever terms they could agree on ; and for the 
interest of this money, which they had thus redeemed, and 
taken into their own hands, they would be contented to be 
allowed bv government, for six years, five per cent. ; then 
the interest should be reduced to four per cent. ; and should 
at any time be redeemable by parliament. 5. But now 
came the part of the scheme big with fraud and ruin. As 
the directors of the South Sea company could not of them¬ 
selves be supposed to possess money sufficient to buy up the 
debts of the nation, they were empowered to raise it by 
opening a subscription to a scheme for trading to the South 
Seas, from which commerce immense ideal advantages were 
promised by the cunning directors, and still greater expected 
by the rapacious credulity of the people. All persons 
therefore, who were creditors to the government, weie 
invited to come in, and exchange their stocks for that of the 
South Sea company. 

0. The directors’ books were no sooner opened for the 
first subscription, than crowds came to make the exchange 
of their stock for South Sea stock. The delusion was art¬ 
fully continued and spread. Subscriptions in a very few 
days sold for double the price they had been bought at 


GEORGE I. 


815 


Thu scheme succeeded even beyond the projectors’ hopes, 
and the whole nation was infected with a spirit of avaricious 
enterprise. The infatuation prevailed ; the stock increased 
to a surprising degree, and to nearly ten times the value of 
what it was subscribed for. 

7. After a few months, however, the people awoke from 
their dreams of riches, and found that all the advantages 
thev expected were merely imaginary, while thousands of 
families were involved in one common ruin. 

8. The principal delinquents were punished by parlia¬ 
ment with a forfeiture of all such possessions and estates as 
they had acquired during the continuance of this popular 
phrensy, and some care also was taken to redress the suf¬ 
ferers. The discontents occasioned hy these public calami¬ 
ties once more gave the disaffected party hopes of succeed¬ 
ing. But in all their councils they were weak, divided, and 
wavf ring. 

1) The first person that was seized upon suspicion was 
Fiancis Attefbury, bishop of Rochester, a prelate long ob¬ 
noxious to the present government, and possessed of abilities 
to render him formidable to any ministry he opposed. His 
papers were seized, and he himself confined to the Tower. 
Soon after the duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Orrery, the lord 
North and Grey, and some others of inferior rank, were ar¬ 
rested and imprisoned. Of all these, however, only the 
bishop, who was banished, and one Mr. Layer, who was 
hanged at Tyburn, felt the severity of government, the 
proofs against the rest amounting to no convictive evidence. 

10. The commons about this time finding many abuses 
had crept into the court of chancery, which either impeded 
justice or rendered it venal, they resolved to impeach the 
chancellor, Thomas earl of Macclesfield, at the bar of the 
house of lords, for high crimes and misdemeanors. IL. 
This was one of the most laborious and best contested trials 
in the annals of England. The trial lasted twenty < 1 ay s. 
The earl proved, that the sums he had received for the sale 
of places in chancery had been usually received by former 
lord chancellors; but reason told that such receipts were 
contrary to strict justice. Equity, therefore, prevailed 
above precedent; the earl was convicted of fraudulent prac¬ 
tices, and condemned to a fine of thirty thousand pounds, 
with imprisonment till the sum should he paid, which was 
accordingly discharged about six weeks alter. 

12 In 3 this manner, the corruption, venality, and avarice 


316 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


of the times had increased with the riches and K xnry of the 
nation. Commerce introduced fraud, and wealth introduced 
prodigality. 

It must be owned that the parliament made some new 
efforts to check the progress of vice and immorality, which 
now began to be diffused through every rank of lile. But 
they were supported neither by the co-operation of the 
ministry, nor the voice of the people. 

13. It was now two years since the king had visited his 
electoral dominions of Hanover. He, therefore, soon after 
the breaking up of the parliament, prepared for a journey 
thither. (A. 1). 1727.) Having appointed a regency in his 
absence, he embarked for Holland, and lay upon his land¬ 
ing at a little town called Voet. Next day he proceeded 
on his journey, and in two days more, between ten and 
eleven at night, arrived at Delden, to all appearance in per¬ 
fect health. 14. He supped there very heartily, and conti 
lined his progress early the next morning, but between 
eight and nine ordered his coach to stop. It being per¬ 
ceived that one of his hands lay motionless, Monsieur Fa- 
brice, who had formerly been servant to the king of Swe¬ 
den, and who now attended king George, attempted to 
quicken the circulation, by chafing it between his hands. 
J5. As this had no effect, the surgeon, who followed on 
horseback, was called, and he also rubbed it with spirits. 
Soon after the king’s tongue began to swell, and he had just 
strength enough to bid them hasten to Osnaburgh. Then 
falling insensibly into Fabrice’s arms, he never recovered, 
but exp'ired about eleven o’clock the next morning, in the 
sixty-eighth year of his age, and the thirteenth of his reign. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 What was the conduct of the South Sea scheme * 

9 Explain the nature of it. 

3 What proposition was made to the ministry ? 
w hat were the terms? y 

5 What part of the scheme was full of fraud and ruin ? 

6 What success attended it? 

S How were the principal delinquents punished ? 

9. What persons were now seized as obnoxious to government ? 
i J On what charge was the earl of Maccleslield impeached ? 

11. Relate the particulars of his tria' 

12 What was now the state of the nation ? 

13 About wnat time did the king prepare to visit his electoral dominions ' 

14 What happened on his progress thither ? 

15 In what manner did the lung die? and what was hiaage? 



GEORGE II. 


317 


(JONTEMFORARY SOVEREIGNS 


l 1 opes. a.d. | Empress of Russia. 

Clement XI. 17U0 a.d. 

Innocent XIII. 1721 Catherine 1. 1725 

Benedict Xlll. 1724 


Emperor of Germany. 
Charles VI.1711 


Kings of France. 

Louis XIV.1643 

Louis XV. 1715 


Emjieror of the Turks. 
Achmet III. 1703 

Emperor of Russia. 
Peter the Great, tirst 
emjieror. 1722 


King of Sjjain. 
Philip V. 1700 

King of Portugal. 
John V. 1707 


King of Denmark. 

*.D 

Frederick IV. 1699 

King and Queen of 
Sweden. 

CHrles XII. If97 

L'tricia Leonora... 1718 

King of Prussia. 
Frederic II. 1713 


EMINENT, PERSONS. 

Sir William Windham. Sir Robert Walpole. William Pulteney. Francic 
bishop Atterbury. John, lord ilervey. John Perceval, earl of Egmout. 
vc <Vc. 


CHAPTER XXXV. 

GEORGE II. 

Born IGS3. Il»ed October ‘25, I7GU. Began to reign June 11, 1727 Reigned 

33} years. 

SECTIOxN I. 

The royal sire to lealms of (Visa removed, 

(lake tlie famed phoenix) fr on h s oyre shall spring 
Successive (Je'Tges, gracious and hel’-vetl, 

And good aud glorious as the parent king.— Cunningham,. 

1. (A.D. 1727 .) Upon the death of George the First, his 
Son George the Second came to the crown ; a man of infe¬ 
rior abilities to the late king, and strongly biased with a 
partiality to his dominions on the continent. The chief 
person, and he who shortly after engrossed the greatest 
share of power under him, was sir Robert Walpole, who 
had risen from low beginnings, through two successive 
reigns, into great estimation. 2. He was considered as a 
martyr to his cause in the reign of queen Anne ; aud when 
the tory party could no longer oppress him, he still pre¬ 
served that hatred against them with which he set out. To 
defend the declining prerogative of the crown might, per 
haps, have been the first object of his attention; but soon 
after, those very measures by which he pretended to retire 
it, proved the most effectual means to lessen it. liy cor¬ 
rupting the house of commons, he increased llieii ricne** 




















318 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


and power ; and they were not averse to voting away those 
millions which he permitted them so liberally to share. 

3. As such a tendency in him naturally produced opposi¬ 
tion, lie was possessed of a most phlegmatic insensibility to 
reproach, and a calm dispassionate manner of reasoning 
upon such topics as he desired should be believed. IIi3 
discourse was fluent, but without dignity, and his mannci 

onvincing, from its apparent want of art. 

4. The Spaniards were the lirst nation who showed the 
futility of the treaties of the former reign to bind, when any 
advantage was to be produced by infraction. The people 
of our West India Islands had long carried on an illicit 
trade with the subjects of Spain upon the continent, but 
whenever detected, were rigorously punished, and their 
cargoes confiscated to the crown. 5. In this temerity of 
adventure, on the one hand, and the vigilance of pursuit 
and punishment on the other, it must often have happened 
that the innocent must suffer with the guilty, and many 
complaints were made, perhaps founded in justice, that the 
English merchants were plundered by the Spanish king’s 
vessels upon the southern coast of America, as if they had 
been pirates. 

6. The English ministry, unwilling to credit every report 
which was inflamed by resentment, or urged by avarice, 
expected to remedy the evils complained of by their favourite 
system of treaty, and in the mean time promised the nation 
redress. At length, however, the complaints became more 
general, and the merchants remonstrated by petition to the 
hoi se of commons, who entered into a deliberation on the 
subject. 7. They examined the evidence of several who 
had been unjustly seized, and treated with great cruelty. 
One man, the master of a trading vessel, had been used by 
the Spaniards in a most shocking manner ; he gave in his 
evidence with great precision, informed the house of the 
manner they had plundered and stripped him, of their cut¬ 
ting off his ears, and their preparing to put him to death. 
“ I then looked up,” said he, “ to my God for pardon, and 
to my country for revenge.” 

8. These accounts raised a flame among the people, 
which it was neither the minister’s interest nor perhaps that 
of the ration to indulge ; new negotiations were set on 
foot, and new mediators offered their interposition. A treaty 
was signed at Vienna, between the emperor, the king of 
Great Britain, and the king of Spain, which settled the 


GEORGE II. 


319 


peace of Europe upon its former footing 1 , and put off the 
threatening war for a time. 9. By this treaty the king of 
England conceived hopes that all war would he at an end. 
Hon Carlos, upon the death of the duke of Parma, was, by 
the assistance of an English fleet, put in peaceable posses¬ 
sion of Parma and Placentia, while six thousand Spaniards 
were quietly admitted, and quartered in the dutchy of Tus¬ 
cany, to secure for him the reversion of that dukedom 

10. An interval of peace succeeded, in which nothing 
remarkable happened, and scarcely any contest ensued, ex¬ 
cept in the British parliament, where the disputes between 
the court and country party were carried on with unceasing 
animosity. 

11. (A.I). 1731.) A society of men, in this interested 
age of seeming benevolence, had united lemselves into a 
company, by the name of the Charitable Corporation ; and 
their professed intention was to lend money at legal interest 
to the poor, upon small pledges, and to persons of higher 
rank upon proper security. Their capital was at first limited 
to thirty thousand pounds, but they afterwards increased it 
to six hundred thousand. 12. This money was supplied 
by subscription, and the care of conducting the capital was 
intrusted in a proper number of directors. This company 
having continued for more than twenty years, the cashier, 
George Robinson, member for Marlow, and the warehouse¬ 
keeper, John Thompson, disappeared in one day. Five 
hundred thousand pounds of capital was found to be sunk 
and embezzled by means which the proprietors could not 
discover. 13. They, therefore, in a petition, represented 
to the house the manner in which they had been defrauded, 
and the distress to which many of the petitioners were re¬ 
duced. A secret committee being appointed to examine 
into this grievance, a most iniquitous scene of fraud was 
discovered, which had been carried on by Robinson and 
Thompson, in concert with some of the directors, for em¬ 
bezzling the capital, and cheating the proprietors. Many 
persons of rank and quality were concerned in this infamous 
conspiracy ; and even some of the first characters in the 
nation did not escape censure. 14. A spirit of avarice and 
rapacity infected every rank of life about this time : no less 
than six members of parliament were expelled for the most 
sordid acts of knavery. Sir Robert Sutton, sir Archibald 
Grant, and George Robinson, for their frauds in the manage¬ 
ment of the Charitable Corporation scheme ; Dennis Bond 


320 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


find serjeant Birch, for a fraudulent sale of the late unfortu¬ 
nate earl of Derwentwater’s large estate; and, lastly, Johr, 
Ward, of Hackney, for forgery. 15. Luxury had giver, 
birth to prodigality, and that was the parent of the meanest 
arts of peculation. It was asserted in the house of lords, 
at that time, that not one shilling of the forfeited estates vas 
ever applied to the service of the public, but became the 
eward of fraud and venality. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 By whom was George the First succeeded ? 

Who engrossed the greatest share of power under him ? 

2 3 What measures did Walpole pursue? wnat was his character? 

4, 5. Under what circumstances did the dispute with Spain originate? 

5 What was the conduct of the F.nglish ministry? 

7 Relate the evidence of one who had been treated with great cruelty by 
the Spaniards. 

8. What for a time prevented the threatening war? 

?0. in the interval of peace did any thing remarkable happen ? 

11 What was t lie origin of the Charitable Corporation? 

12 Bv' whom was its capital embezzled ? 

13. What followed the detection of this fraud ? 

14. What members of parliament were expelled for the most sordid acts ot 

knavery ? 

15. What remarkable assertion was made in the house of lords at this time 


SECTION II. 

Of Spain dissatisfied once more we tell; 

On England's r umplis. loo, 1 he m-ise migh* dwell 

And sing how Vernon fought and Porto Hello foil.— Dihdi 

1. (^A. D. 1732.) A scheme, set on foot by sir Robert 
Walpole, soon after engrossed the attention of the public, 
which was to fix a general excise. The minister introduced 
it into the house, by going into detail of the frauds practised 
by the factors in London, who were employed by the A me 
rican planters in selling their tobacco. 2. To prevent these 
frauds, he proposed, that, instead of having the custom levied 
in the usual manner upon tobacco, all hereafter to be imported 
should be lodged in warehouses appointed for that purpose 
by the officers of the crown; that it should from thence be 
sold, upon paying the duty of fourpence a pound, when the 
proprietor found a purchaser. 3. This proposal raised a 
violent ferment, not less within doors than without. It was 
asserted that it would expose the factors to such hardships 
til R they would not be able to continue their trade, and that 




GEORGE II. 


321 


such a scheme would not even preven t the frauds complained 
of. It was added, that a number of additional excisemen 
and warehouse-keepers would thus be employed, which 
would at once render the ministry formidable, and the people 
dependent. 4. Such were the arguments made use of to 
stir up the citizens to oppose this law : arguments rather 
specious than solid, since, with all its disadvantages, the tax 
upon tobacco would thus be more safely and expeditiously 
collected, and the avenues to numberless frauds would be 
shut up. The people, however, were raised into such a fer¬ 
ment, that the parliament-house was surrounded with mul¬ 
titudes, who intimidated the ministry, and compelled them 
to drop the design. The miscarriage of the bill was cele¬ 
brated with public rejoicings in London and Westminster, 
and the minister was burned in effigy by the populace of 
London. 

5. Ever since the treaty of Utrecht, the Spaniards in 
America had insulted and distressed the commerce of Great 
Britain, and the British merchants had attempted to carry on 
an illicit trade in their dominions. A right which the Eng¬ 
lish merchants claimed by treaty, of cutting logwood in the 
bay of Campeachy, gave them frequent opportunities of 
pushing in contraband commodities upon the continent; so 
that, to suppress the evil, the Spaniards were resolved to an¬ 
nihilate the claim. 6. This liberty of cutting logwood had 
often been acknowledged, but never clearly ascertained ; in 
all former treaties it was considered as an object of too little 
importance to make a separate article in any negotiation. 
The Spanish vessels appointed for protecting the coast con¬ 
tinued their severities upon the English ; many of the sub¬ 
jects of Britain were sent to dig in the mines of Potosi, and 
deprived of all means of conveying their complaints to those 
who might send them redress. 7. One remonstrance fol¬ 
lowed another to the court of Madrid of this violation of 
treaty ; but the only answers given were promises of inquiry 
which produced no reformation. Our merchants complained 
loudly of these outrages, but the ministers vainly expected 
from negotiations that redress which was only to be obtained 
by arms. 

8. The fears discovered by the court of Great Britain 
only served to increase the insolence of the enemy ; and 
their guard-ships continued to seize not only all the guilty, 
but the innocent, whom they found sailing along the Spanish 
main. At last, however, the complaints of the English 


His 1 ORY OF ENGLAND 


H22 

merchants were loud enough to interest the house of com 
inons ; tueir letters and memorials were produced, and their 
grievances enforced by council at the bar of the house. 0. If 
was soon found that the money which Spain had agreed to 
pay to the court of Great Britain was withheld, and no rea* 
son assigned for the delay. The minister, therefore, to gratify 
the general ardour, and to atone for his former deficiencies, 
assured the house that he would put the nation in a condition 
for war. Soon after, letters of reprisal were granted against 
the Spaniards ; and this being on both sides considered as 
an actual commencement of hostilities, both diligently set 
forward their armaments by sea and land. 10. In this 
threatening situation, the French minister at the Hague de¬ 
clared that his master was obliged by treaty to assist the 
king of Spain ; so that the alliances, which but twenty years 
before had taken place, were now quite reversed. At that 
time France and England were combined against Spain ; at 
present France and Spain were united against England ; 
such little hopes can statesmen place upon the firmest trea 
ties, where there is no superior power to compel the observ¬ 
ance. 

11. (A. D. 1739.) A rupture between England and Spain 
being now become unavoidable, the people, who had long 
clamoured for war, began to feel uncommon alacrity at its 
approach ; and the ministry, finding it inevitable, began to 
be as earnest in preparation. Orders were issued for aug¬ 
menting the land forces, and raising a body of marines. 
War was declared with proper solemnity, and soon after 
two rich Spanish prizes were taken in the Mediterranean. 
12. Admiral Vernon, a man of more courage than expe¬ 
rience, of more confidence than skill, was sent as comman¬ 
der of a fleet into the West Indies, to distress the enemy in 
that part of the globe. Me had asserted in the house of 
commons, that Porto Bello, a fort and harbour in South 
America, could be easily destroyed, and that he himsflf 
would undertake to reduce it with six ships only. j 3. A 
project which appeared so wild and impossible was ridiculed 
bv the ministry; but as he still insisted upon the proposal 
they complied with his request, hoping that his want of suc¬ 
cess might repress the confidence of his party. In this, how¬ 
ever, they were disappointed; for with six shins only he 
attacked aim demolished all the fortifications of the place, 
and came away victorious with scarcely the loss of a man 
This victory was magnified at home in all the strains of 


GEORGE II. 323 

panegyric, and the triumph was far superior to the value of 
the conquest. 

14. While vigorous preparations were making in other 
departments, a squadron of ships was equipped for distress¬ 
ing the enemy in the South Seas, the command of which 
was given to commodore Anson. This fleet was destined to 
sail through the Straits of Magellan, and, steering northwards 
along the coast of Chili and Peru, to co-operate occasionally 
with admiral Vernon across the isthmus of Darien. The 
delays and mistakes of the ministry frustrated that part of 
the scheme, which was originally well laid. 15. When it 
was too late in the season, the commodore set out with flve 
ships of the line, a frigate, and two smaller ships, with about 
fourteen hundred men. Having reached the coast of Brazil, 
he refreshed his men for some time on the island of JSt 
Catherine, a spot that enjoys all the fruitfulness and verdure 
of the luxurious tropical climate. From thence he steered 
downward into the cold and tempestuous regions of the south ; 
and in about flve months after, meeting a terrible tempest, 
he doubled Cape Horn. 10. By this time his fleet was dis¬ 
persed, and his crew deplorably disabled with the scurvy ; 
so that with much difficulty he gained the delightful Island 
of Juan Fernandez. There he was joined by one ship, and 
a vessel of seven guns. From thence advancing northward, 
he landed on the coast of Chili, and attacked the city of 
Paita by night. 17. In this bold attempt he made no use 
of his shipping, nor even disembarked all his men ; a few 
soldiers, favoured by darkness, sufficed to fill the whole 
town with terror and confusion. The governor of the gar¬ 
rison, and the inhabitants, fled on all sides ; accustomed to 
be severe, they expected severity. In the mean time a 
small body of the English kept possession of the town foi 
three days, stripping it of treasures and merchandise to a 
considerable amount, and then setting it on hre. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 VVliat scheme now engrossed the public attention? 

2 flow did (he minister promise to effect it ? 

3 VVliat were the arguments used in opposition to this mo^uro ? 

4 What was their success ? 

5 From what cause originated the dispute with Spain ? 
tV What was the conduct of the Spaniards ? 

1 What measures were taken by the Fnglish mercnar is ? 

8. What continued to be the conduct of the enemy >. 

9 What induced the minister to gratify the general ardou" of the ration ? 
(n what manner did the war commence ? 



324 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


10 Linder what pretence did France assist Spain ? 

11. What was the feeling of the people at the approach of the \*ur 

12. What did admiral Vernon assert in the house of commi**** ? 

13. Kelate the success of this expedition. 

14—17. Describe the proceedings of the squadron under commodore Arsen 
from its sailing to the taking of Paita. 


SECTION III. 

But what are wreaths in battle won ? 

, And what the tribute of amaze 

Which man too oft mistaken pays 

To the vain idol shrine of false renown. — jinon. 

1. (A.D. 1740.) Soon after, this small squadron advanced 
as far as Panama, situated on the isthmus of Darien, on the 
western side of the great American continent. The com¬ 
modore now placed all his hopes in taking one of those 
valuable Spanish ships which trade from the Philippine 
islands to Mexico. Not above one or two at the most of 
these immensely rich ships went from one continent to the 
other in a year; they were, therefore, very large, in order 
to carry a sufficiency of treasure, and proportionally strong 
to defend it. 2. In hopes of meeting with one of these, the 
commodore, with his little fleet, traversed the Pacific Ocean: 
but the scurvy once more visiting his crew, several of his 
men died, and almost all were disabled. In this exigence, 
having brought all his men into one vessel, and set fire to 
another, he steered for the island of Tinian, which lies 
about halfway between the new world and the old. 3. in 
this charming abode he continued for some time, till his 
men recovered their health, and his ship was refitted for 
sail i nor. 

O 

Thus refitted, he set forward for China, where he laid in 
proper stores for once more traversing back that immense 
ocean, in which he had before suffered such incredible dif 
Acuities. 4. Having accordingly taken some Dutch and 
Indian sailors on board, he again steered towards America, 
and at length, after various toils, discovered the Spanish gal¬ 
leon he had so long and ardently expected. This vessel 
was built as well for the purpose of war as for merchandise. 
It mounted sixty guns and five hundred men, while the 
crew of the commodore did not amount to half that number. 
5 However, the victory was on the side of the English, 
and they returned home with tlieir prize, which w r as esti¬ 
mated at three hundred and thirteen thousand pounds stcr 
ling, while the different captures that had been made before 
amounted to as much more. Thus, after a voyage of three 



GEORGE II 


325 


•rears, conducted with astonishing perseverance and intre 
pidity, die public sustained the loss of a noble tleet, but a 
lew individuals became possessed of immense riches. 

0. In the mean time the English conducted other opera¬ 
tions against the enemy with amazing activity. When 
Anson set out, it was with a design of acting a subordinate 
part to a formidable armament designed for the coast of New 
Spain, consisting of twenty-nine ships of the line, and almost 
an equal numner of frigates, furnished with all kinds of 
warlike stores, nearly fifteen thousand seamen, and as 
many land-forces. Never was a fleet more completely 
equipped, nor never had the nation more sanguine hopes of 
success. Lord Cathcart was appointed to command the 
land-forces; but he dying on the passage, the command 
devolved upon general Wentworth, whose abilities were 
supposed to be unequal to the trust reposed in him. 

7. When the forces were landed at Carthagena, they 
erected a battery, with which they made a breach in the 
principal fort, while Vernon, who commanded the fleet, 
sent a number of ships into the harbour to divide the fire of 
the enemy, and to co-operate with the army on shore. 8. 
The breach being deemed practicable, a body of troops 
were commanded to storm ; but the Spaniards deserted the 
forts, which, if possessed of courage, they might have de¬ 
fended with success. The troops, upon gaining this advan¬ 
tage, were advanced a good deal nearer the city ; but there 
they met a much greater opposition than they had expected. 

9. It was found, or at least asserted, that the fleet could no*, 
lie near enough to batter the town, and that nothing re 
mained but to attempt one of the forts by scaling. The 
leaders of the fleet and the army began mutually to accuse 
each other, each asserting the probability of what the other 
denied. At length, Wentworth, stimulated by the admiral’s 
reproach, resolved to try the dangerous experiment, and 
ordered that fort St. Lazare should be attempted by scalade. 

10. Nothin^ could be more unfortunate than this undertak- 

O 

mg; the forces marching up to the attack, the guides were 
slain, and they mistook their way. Instead of attempting 
the weakest part of the fort, they advanced to where it 
was the strongest, and where they were exposed to the fire 
of tl le town. Or lonel Grant, who commanded the grena¬ 
diers, was killed in the beginning. 11. Soon after it was 
found that their scaling ladders were too short; the officers 
were perplexed for want of orders, and the troops stood ex 


326 


HISTORY OF ENGLANr. 


posed to the whole fire of the enemy, without knowinp hov 
to proceed. After hearing a dreadful fire for some hours 
with great intrepidity, they at length retreated, leaving six 
hundred men dead on the spot. 12. The terrors of tne 
climate soon began to be more dreadful than those of war 
the rainy season came on with such violence, that it was 
impossible for the troops to continue encamped ; and the 
mortality of the season now began to attack them in all its 
frightful varieties. To these calamities, sufficient to quell 
any enterprise, was added the dissension between the land 
and sea commanders, who blamed each other for every 
failure, and became frantic with mutual recrimination. They 
only, therefore, at last, could be brought to agree in one 
moitifying measure, which was to re-embark the troops, 
and withdraw them as quickly as possible from this scene of 
slaughter and contagion. 

tJ CJ 

13. This fatal miscarriage, which tarnished the British 
glory, was no sooner known in England, than the kingdom 
was filled with murmurs and discontent. The loudest burst 
of indignation was directed at the minister; and they who 
once praised him for success he did not merit, condemned 
him now for a failure of which he was guiltless. 

14. (A. D. 1741.) 'The minister, finding the indignation 
of the house of commons turned against him, tried every art 
to break that confederacy, which he knew lie had not 
strength to oppose. The resentment of the people had been 
raised against him to an extravagant height; and their lead¬ 
ers taught them to expect very signal justice on their sup¬ 
posed oppressor. At length, finding his post untenable, he 
declared he would never sit more in that house ; the next 
day the king adjourned both houses of parliament for a few 
days, and in the interim sir Robert Walpole was created earl 
of Orford, and resigned all his employments. 

15. But the pleasure of his defeat was but of short dura¬ 
tion ; it soon appeared that those who declared most loudly 
for the liberty of the people, had adopted new measures 
with their new employments. The new converts were 
branded as betrayers of the interests of their country ; but 
particularly the resentment of the people fell upon Eulteney 
carl of Bath, who had long declaimed against that very 
conduct he now seemed earnest to pursue. 16. He had 
betm the idol of the people, and considered as one of the 
most illustrious champions that had ever defended the cause 
of freedom: but allured, perhaps, with the hope of go 


GEORGE II. 


327 

verning in Walpole’s place, he was contented to give up his 
popularity for ambition. The king, however, treat**' 1 him 
witn that neglect which he merited ; he was laid aside toi 
life, and continued a wretched survivor of all his former 
importance 


Questions for Examination. 

1 Relate briefly the further proceedings of the squadron under cammo 
dore Anson till the capture of the rich Spanish galleon. 

5- What was the result of lilts enterprise ? 

6. What other operations were undertaken ? 

'—y Describe the particulars of the siege of Carthagena. 

It), 11. What causes rendered it unsuccessful ? « 

12 What was then the situation oi the English troops? 

13 What was the consequence of this miscarriage? 

11. What was the minister’s conduct? 

15 Did itee conduct of his successors render them favourites of the people 1 
Or vlicm particularly l'»J the public resentment fall? 

16. in wuai .ifc,iu tiad Duiteney fbrrr.e.i/ been considered by the people < 


SECTION IV. 

Hv turns each army trains the vantage ground, 

T*’P cannons roar, anil carnage spreads around.— Duncan. 

2 . ( 4. I). 1740 ) The emperor dying in the year 1740, 
the French began to think this a favourable opportunity for 
exerting their ambition once more. Regardless of tieaties, 
particularly that called the Pragmatic sanction, by which 
the reversion of all the late emperor’s dominions was set¬ 
tled upon his daughter, they caused the elector of Bavaria 
to be crowned emperor. Thus the queen of Hungary, 
daughter to Charles the Sixth, descended from an illustrious 
line of emperors, saw herself stripped of her inheritance, 
and left fora whole year deserted by all Europe, and without 
any hopes of succour. 2. She had scarcely closed her 
father’s eyes, when she lost Silesia, by an irruption of the 
young king of Prussia, who seized the opportunity of her 
defenceless state to renew his ancient pretensions to that 
province, of which it must be owned his ancestors had been 
unjustly deprived. France, Saxony, and Bavaria attacked 
the* rest of her dominions ; England was the only ally that 
seemed willing to espouse her helpless condition. Sardinia 
nnd Holland soon after came to her assistance, and last of all 
Russia acceded to a union in her favour. 

3. It may now be demanded what cause Britain had tc 
intermeddle in those continental schemes. It can only bo 
answered, that the interests of Hanover, and the security 




328 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


of tliat electorate, depended upon nicely oalancing the dif 
terent interests of the empire ; and the English ministry 
were willing to gratify the king. 

4. Accordingly the king sent a body of English forces 
into the Netherlands, which he had augmented by sixteen 
thousand Hanoverians, to make a diversion upon the do* 
ininions of France, in the queen of Hungary’s favour; and 
Dy the assistance of these the queen of Hungary soon began 
to turn the scale of victory on her side. 5. The French 
were driven out of Bohemia. Her general, prince Charles, 
at the head of a large army, invaded the dominions of Ba* 
varia. Her rival, the nominal emperor, was obliged to fly 
before her ; and being abandoned by his allies, and stripped 
of even his hereditary dominions, retired to Frankfort, where 
he lived in obscurity. 

G. (A. I). 1743.) The French, in order to prevent the 
junction of the Austrian and British forces, assembled an 
army of sixty thousand men on the river Mayne under the 
command of marshal Noailles, who posted his troops upon 
the east side of that river. The British forces, to the num¬ 
ber of forty thousand, pushed forward on the other side into 
a country where they found themselves entirely destitute of 
provisions, the French having cut off all means of their 
being supplied. 7. The king of England arrived at the 
camp while his army was in this deplorable situation; 
wherefore he resolved to penetrate forward to join twelve 
thousand Hanoverians and Hessians, who had reached 
Hanau. With this view he decamped ; but before his army 
had reached three leagues, he found the enemy had enclosed 
him on every side, near a village called Dettingen. 

8. Nothing now presented themselves but the most mor* 
tifying prospects. If he fought the enemy, it must be at the 
greatest disadvantage; if he continued inactive, there was a 
certainty of being starved; and a retreat for all was impos¬ 
sible. The impetuosity of the French troops saved his 
wnole army. They passed a defile, which they should 
have been contented to £uard : and, under the command of 
the duke of Grammont, their horse charged the English 
foot with great fury. They were received with intrepidity 
and resolution; so that they were obliged to give way, and 
repass the Mayne with precipitation, with the loss of five 
thousand men 

9. Meanwhile the French went on with vigoui on e.very 
side. They projected an invasion of England; and Charles, 


GFOROE II. 


329 

the son of the old pretender, departed from Rome, in the 
(.isguise of a Spanish courier, for Paris, where he had an 

audience of the French king. 

© 

JO. The family had long been the dupes of France ; but 
it was thought at present there were serious resolutions 
formed in their favour. The troops destined for the expedi¬ 
tion amounted to fifteen thousand men ; preparations were 
made for embarking them at Dunkirk, and some of the ports 
nearest to England, under the eye of the young pretender. 
11 . The duke de Roquefeuille, with twenty ships of the 
line, was to see them safely landed in England ; and the fa¬ 
mous count Saxe was to command them when put on shore. 
Ilut the whole Droject was disconcerted by the appearance 
of sir John Norris, who, with a superior fleet, made up to 
attack them. The French fleet was thus obliged to put 
back ; a very hard gale of wind damaged their transports 
beyond redress ; and the French, now frustrated in their 
scheme of a sudden descent, thought fit openly to declare war. 

12. The French, therefore, entered upon the war with 
great alacrity. They besieged Fribourg, and in the begin¬ 
ning of the succeeding campaign invested the strong city of 
Tournay. Although the allies were inferior in number, and 
although commanded by the duke of Cumberland, yet they 
resolved, if possible, to save the city by hazarding a battle. 
They accordingly marched against the enemy, and took post 
in sight of the French, who were encamped on an eminence, 
the village of St. Antoine on the right, a wood on the left, 
and the town of Fonlenoy before them. 13. 'This advan¬ 
tageous situation did not repress the ardour of the English, 
who began the attack at two o’clock in the morning, and, 
pressing forward, bore down all opposition. They were 
for nearly an hour victorious, and confident of success, while 
Saxe, a soldier of fortune, who commanded the French army, 
was at that time sick of the same disorder of which he after¬ 
wards died. However, he was carried about to all the posts 
in a litter, and assured his attendants that, notwithstanding 
all unfavourable appearances, the day was his own. 14, 
A column of the English, without any command, but by 
mere mechanical courage, had advanced upon the enemy’s 
lines, which, opening, formed an avenue on each side to re¬ 
ceive them. It was then that the French artillery on the 
three sides began to play on this forlorn body, which, though 
they continued for a long time unshaken, were obliged at 
last to retreat. 


2 e 2 


330 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


15. This was one of the most bloody battles that had 
been fought in this age ; the allies left on the field nearly 
twelve thousand men, and the French bought their victory 
with nearly an equal number of slain. 

This blow, by which Tournay was taken by the French 
gave them such a manifest superiority all the rest of the 
campaign, that they kept the fruits of their victory duiiig 
he whole continuance of the war. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 On the death of the emperor of Austria, what was the conduct of the 

French ? 

2 Describe 'die situation of the emperor’s daughter. 

3 What cause had Britain to intermeddle in continental schemes? 

4, 5. With what success was Britain’s interference attended ? 

6—8 Re'nte the circumstances which preceded and attended tl.eba’tleol 
Dettingen. 

9. What other project did the French endeavour to effect? 

10, 11 What success attended their measure* l 

12. What preceded me baitle of Fontenoy i 

13. 14. Relate the particulars of this battle. 

15. What loss did each side experience ? 


SECTION V. 

Rir Mill i<> d rken the dread gloom of war, 

Mwir'i'derf Snarl drew rebellion's sword: 

E'en Derby saw his vaunting banners wave, 

And Scottish chief.ains hailed him as their lord. — Valpy. 

1. (A.D. 1745.) But though bad success attended the 
British arms by land and sea, yet these being distant evils, 
the English seemed only to complain from honourable mo¬ 
tives, and murmured at distresses of which they had but a 
very remote prospect. A civil war was now going to be 
kindled in their own dominions, which mixed terrors with 
their complaints ; and which, while it increased their per¬ 
plexities, only cemented their union. 

2. It was at this period that the son of the old pretendei 
resolved to make an effort for gaining the British crown. 
Charles Edward, the adventurer in question, had been bred 
in a luxurious court without partaking of its eflemimcy 
He was enterprising and ambitious ; but, either from, inex 
perience or natural inability, utterly unequal to the bold un¬ 
de risking. He was long flattered by the rash, the supersti¬ 
tions, and the needy : he was taught to believe that the 
Kingdom was ripe for a revolt, and that it could no longei 
bear the immense load of taxes with which it was burdened, 
i Being now, therefore, furnished with some money, and 





GEORGE II. 


831 


with *till larger promises from France, who fanned his arm 
bition, he embarked for Scotland on board a small frigate, 
accompanied by the marquis of Tullibardine, sir Thomas 
Sheridan, and a few other desperate adventurers. Thus, 
for the conquestof the whole British empire, he only brought 
with h iin seven officers, and arms for two thousand men. 

4. The boldness of this enterprise astonished all Europe. 
It awakened the fears of the pusillanimous, the ardour of the 
brave, and the pity of the wbe. But hy this time the young 
adventurer was arrived at Perth, where the unnecessary ce¬ 
remony was performed of proclaiming his father king of 
Great Britain. 5. From thence, descending with his forces 
from the mountains, they seemed to gather as they went for¬ 
ward ; and, advancing to Edinburgh, they entered that city 
without opposition. ’There again the pageantry of procla¬ 
mation was performed ; and there he promised to dissolve 
the union, which was considered as one of the grievances 
of the country. However, the castle of that city still held 
out, and he was unprovided with cannon to besiege it. 

6. In the mean time, sir John Cope, who had pursued 
the rebels through the Highlan Is, but had declined meeting 
them in their descent, being now reinforced by two regi¬ 
ments of dragoons, resolved to march towards Edinburgh, 
and give the enemy battle. The young adventurer, whose 
forces were rather superior, though undisciplined, attacked 
him near Preston-pans, about twelve miles from the capital, 
and in a few minutes put him and his troops to flight. 7. 
This victory, by which the king lost five hundred men, gave 
the rebels great influence ; and had the pretender taken ad¬ 
vantage of the general consternation, and inarched directly 
for England, the consequence might have been fatal to free¬ 
dom. But he was amused by the promise of succours which 
ne\er came ; and thus induced to remain at Edinburgh, to 
enjoy the triumphs of an unimportant victory, and to be 
treated as a monarch. 

8. While the young pretender was thus trifling away his 
lime at Edinburgh (for, in dangerous enterprises delay is but 
defeat), the ministry of Great Britain took every precaution to 
oppose him with success. Six thousand Dutch troops, tha 
had come over to the assistance of the crown, were despatch¬ 
ed northward, under the command of general Wade. The 
duke of Cumberland soon after arrived from Flanders, and 
was followed by another detachment of dragoons and in* 
fantry, well disciplined, and inured to action. Besides 


.132 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


these, volunteers offered in every part of the kingdom , a:h! 
every county exerted a vigorous spirit of indignation both 
against the ambition, the religion, and the allies of the young 
pretender. 

9. However, he had been bred in a school that taught him 
maxims very different from those that then prevailed in 
England. Though he might have brought civil war, and all 
the calamities attending it with him, into the kingdom, he 
had been taught that the assertion of his right was a duty 
incumbent upon him, and the altering the constitution, and 
perhaps the religion of* his country, an object of laudable 
ambition. 10. Thus animated, he went forward with vi¬ 
gour ; and having, upon frequent consultations with his offi¬ 
cers, come to a resolution of making an irruption into Eng¬ 
land, he entered the country by the western border, and 
invested Carlisle, which surrendered in less than three days. 
He there found a considerable quantity of arms, and there 
too he caused his father to be proclaimed king. 

11. General Wade, being apprized of his progress, ad 
vanced across the country from the opposite shore ; but re¬ 
ceiving intelligence that the enemy was two days’ march 
before him, he retired to his former station. The young 
pretender, thus unopposed, resolved to penetrate farther into 
the kingdom, having received assurances from France that 
a considerable body of troops would be landed on the south¬ 
ern coasts, to make a diversion in his favour. 12. He wa? 
flattered also with the hopes of being joined by a considera¬ 
ble number of malecontents as he passed forward, and that 
his army would increase on his march. Accordingly, leav¬ 
ing a small garrison in Carlisle, which he should rather have 
left defenceless, he advanced to Penrith, marching on foot 
in a Highland dress, and continued his irruption till he came 
to Manchester, where he established his head-quarters. 

13. He was there joined by about two hundred English, 
who were formed into a regiment, under the command of co¬ 
lonel Townley. From thence he pursed his marcli to Derby, 
intending to go by the way of Chester into Wales, where 
he hoped to be joined by a great number of followers ; but 
the factions among his own chiefs prevented his proceeding 
to that part of the kingdom. 

15 He was by this time advanced within a hundred 
miles of the capital, which was filled with perplexity and 
Tonsternation. Had he proceeded in his career with that 
expedition which he had hitherto used, he might have made 


GEORGE II. 


333 


himself master of the metropolis, where he would certainly 
have been joined by a considerable number of his w-lll 
wishers, who waited impatiently for his approach. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 Wnat was the situation of England at this time? 

2 By whom was an ellort made to gain the English crown? 

3 l'ndcr what circumstances was it undertaken? 

5 What were the first proceedings of tlie pretender? 
fi With what success dal he attack sir John Cope ? 

7 What were the consequences of this victory? 

8 \Y hat precautions were taken l>v the English ministry? 

What was the conduct of the pretender? 

11. By whom was an attempt made to oppose him? and what was its rt> 
suit ? 

12 To what places did he next proceed ? 

13 By whom was he joined ? and whither did he next march ? 

il YVhat might have been the result had he proceeded with expedition? 


SECTION VI. 

Il'-fHW you'h ; Culloftpn’s Moody field 
Punk th<- von fol>rios of imli'ti n Imv ; 

Pressed with f il.gnp, and hunger, long he roamed. 

Mid scenes of danger and mid sights of wue.— Valpy. 

1. (A.D. 1745.) In the mean time the king resolved to 
take the field in person. But he found safety from the 
discontents which now began to prevail in the pretender’s 
army. In fact, he was but the nominal leader of his forces *. 
as his generals, the chiefs of the highland clans, were, from 
their education, ignorant, and averse to subordination. They 
had from the beginning began to embrace opposite systems 
of operation, and to contend with each other for pre-emi¬ 
nence ; hut they seemed now unanimous in returning to 
their own country once more. 

2. 'I’lie rebels accordingly effected their retreat to Carlisle 
without any loss, and from thence crossed the rivers Eden 
and Solway, into Scotland. In these marches, however, 
they preserved all the rules of war ; they abstained in a 
great measure from plunder; they levied contributions on 
the towns as they passed along; and with unaccountable 
caution left a garrison at Carlisle, which shortly after was 
obliged to surrender to the duke of Cumberland at discre 
tion, to the number of four hundred men. 

3. 'Tlie pretender being returned to Scotland, he proceeu- 
ed to Glasgow, from which city he exacted severe contribd- 
tions. He advanced from thence to Stirling, where tie was 
joined by lord Lewis Gordon, at the head of some force* 




334 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


wnicb had been assembled in bis absence. Other clans, to 
the number of two thousand, came in likewise * and from 
some supplies of money which he received from Spain, and 
from some skirmishes, in which he was successful against 
the royalists, his affairs began to wear a more promising as¬ 
pect. 4. Being joined by lord Drummond, he invested the 
castle of Stirling, commanded by general Blakenev : but the 
rebel forces, being unused to sieges, consumed much time to 
no purpose. It was during this attempt that general Haw¬ 
ley, who commanded a considerable body of forces near 
Edinburgh, undertook to raise the siege, and advanced to- 
wards the rebel army as far as Falkirk. After two days 
spent in mutually examining each other’s strength, the re¬ 
bels being ardent to engage, were led on. in full spirits, to 
attack the king’s army. 5. The pretender, who was in the 
front line, gave the signal to engage, and the first fire put 
Hawley’s forces into confusion. The horse retreated with 
precipitation, and fell upon their own infantry ; while the 
rebels following up the blow, the greatest part of the royal 
army fled with the utmost precipitation. They retired in 
confusion to Edinburgh, leaving the conquerors in posses¬ 
sion of their tents, their artillery, and the field of battle. 

Thus far the affairs of the rebel army seemed not unpros- 

perous; but here was an end of all their triumphs. 'The 

duke of Cumberland, at that time the favourite of the Eng- 

© 

lish army, had been recalled from Flanders, and put him¬ 
self at the head of the troops at Edinburgh, which consisted ot 
about fourteen thousand men. 7. With these he advanced 
to Aberdeen, where he was joined by several of the Scotch 
nobility, attached to the house of Hanover; and having 
revived the drooping spirits of his army, he resolved to find 
out the enemy, who retreated at his approach. After having 
refreshed his troops at Aberdeen for some time, he renewed 
his march, and in twelve days he came up to the banks of 
the deep and rapid river Spey. This was the place where 
the rebels might have disputed his passage, but they lost 
every advantage in disputing with each other. 8. They 
seemed now totally void of all counsel and subordination, 
without conduct, and without unanimity. After a variety 
of contests among each other, they resolved to wait their 
pursuers upon the plains of Culloden, a place about nine 
miles distant from Inverness, embosomed in hills, except on 
trial side which was open to the sea. There they drew up 
tr. order of battle, to the number of eight thousand men, in 


GEORGE II. 


335 

three divisions, supplied with some pieces of artillery, ill 
manned and served. 

9. The battle began about one o’clock in the afternoon ; 
the cannon of the king’s army did dreadful execution among 
the rebels, while theirs was totally unserviceable. One of 
toe great errors in all the pretender’s warlike measures, w as 
his subjecting wild and undisciplined troops to the forms of 
artful war, and thus repressing their native ardour, from 
" hich alone he could hope for success. 10. After they h ad 
kept in their ranks and withstood the English fire for some 
time, they at length became impatient for closer engagement; 
and about five hundred of them made an irruption upon the 
left wing of the enemy with their accustomed ferocity. 
The first line being disordered by this onset, two battalions 
advanced to support it, and galled the enemy with a terrible 
close discharge. 11. At the same time the dragoons, under 
Hawley, and the Argyleshire militia, pulling down a park 
wali feebly defended, fell among them, sword in hand, with 
great slaughter. In less than thirty minutes they were 
totally routed, and the field covered with their wounded 
and slain, to the number of three thousand men. The 
French troops on the left did not fire a shot, but stood inac¬ 
tive during the engagement, and afterwards surrendered 
themselves prisoners of war. 12. An entire body of the 
clans marched off the field in order, while the rest were 
routed with great slaughter, and their leaders obliged with 
reluctance to retire. Civil war is in itself terrible, but much 
more so when heightened by unnecessary cruelty. How 
guilty soever ar enemy may be, it is the duty of a brave 
soldier to remember that he is only to fight an opposer, and 
not a suppliant. 13. The victory was in every respect 
decisive, and humanity to the conquered would have ren¬ 
dered it glorious. But little mercy was shown here ; the 
conquerors were seen to refuse quarter to the wounded, the 
unarmed, the defenceless ; some were slain who were only 
excited by curiosity to become spectators of the combat, 
end soldiers were seen to anticipate the base employment of 
the executioner. 14. The duke, immediately after the 
action, ordered six-and-thirty deserters to be executed. 
The conquerors spread terror wherever they came ; and. 
after a short space, the whole country round was one dread¬ 
ful scene of plunder, slaughter, and desolation ; justice was 
forgotten, and vengeance assumed the name. 


336 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Questions for Examination. 

!. What was the situation of the pretender’ army' ? 

Z To what place did the rebels retreat? 

?. Bv whom were they joined ? 

4 What success attended them in besieging Stirling castle? 

Who attempted to raise the siege ? 

5. With what success did the rebels attack the royal army? 
o What ended their triumphs ? 

7 What was the conduct of the duke of Cumberland? 

8. VVliat was the determination of the rebel army? 

What was the amount of their forces ? 

S—12. Relate the particulars and result of the battle of Cuhoden 
t3. 14. What was the conduct of the conquerors? 


SECTION VII. 

The quality of mercy is not strained ; 

It dropped) as the tjen'le rain from heaven 

Upon the p'ace beneath : it is tvyice blessed ; 

It blesseih him that, gives and him ihat takes.— Sha/csvcare. 

1. (A.D. 1746.) In this manner were blasted all the 
hopes and all the ambition of the young adventurer; one 
short hour deprived him of imaginary thrones and sceptres, 
and reduced him from a nominal king to a distressed, foriorn 
outcast., shunned by all mankind except those who sought 
his destruction. To the good and the brave, subsequent 
distress often atones for former guilt; and while reason 
would speak for punishment, our hearts plead for mercy. 

2. Immediately after the engagement, he fled away with a 
captain of Fitz-james’s cavalry, and, when their horses 
were fatigued, they both alighted, and separately soughl 
for safety. He for some days wandered in this country, 
naturally wild, but now rendered more formidable by war, 
a wretched spectator of all those horrors which were the 
result of his ill-grounded ambition. 

3. There is a striking similitude between his adventures 
and those of Charles the Second upon his escape from 
Worcester. He sometimes found refuge in caves am) 
cottages, without attendants, and dependent on the wretched 
natives, who could pity, but not relieve him. Sometimes 
he lay in forests, with one or two companions of his dis¬ 
tress, continually pursued by the troops of the conqueror 
as there was a teward of thirty thousand pounds offered 
for taking him dead or alive. 4. Sheridan, an Irish advert- 
turei, was the person who kept most faithfully by him, and 
inspired him with courage to support such incredible hard 
ships He had occasion, in the course of his concealments, 
to trust his life to the fidelity of ab'ove fifty individuals. 



GEORGE II. 337 

whose veneration for his family prevailed above their ava¬ 
rice. 

5. One day, having walked from morning till night, ho 
ventured to enter a house, the owner of which he well 
knew was attached to the opposite party. As he entered 
he addressed the master of the house in the following man¬ 
ner: “The son of your king comes to beg a little bread, 
and a few clothes. I know your present attachment to 1115 
adversaries, but 1 believe you have sufficient honour not to 
abuse my confidence, or to take advantage of my distressed 
situation. 'Fake these rags, that have for some time been 
my only covering: you may probably restore them to me 
one day, when I shall be seated on the throne of Great 
Britain.” 6 . The master of the house was touched with 
pity at his distress ; he assisted him as far as he was able, 
and never divulged the secret. There were few of those, 
who even wished his destruction, that would choose to be 
the immediate actors in it, as it would have subjected them 
to the resentment of a numerous party. 

7. In this manner he continued to wander among the 
frightful wilds of Glengary for near six months, often 
hemmed round by his pursuers, but still rescued by some 
lucky accident from the impending danger. At length a 
privateer of St. Maloes, hired by his adherents, arrived 
in Lochnanach, in which he embarked in the most wretched 
attire. He was clad in a short coat of black frieze, thread¬ 
bare, over which was a common Highland plaid, girt round 
by a belt, from whence were suspended a pistol and a dag¬ 
ger. He had not been shifted for many weeks ; his eyes 
were hollow, his visage wan, and his constitution greatly 
impaired by famine anti fatigue. 8 . He was accompanied 
by Sullivan and Sheridan, two Irish adherents, who had 
shared all his calamities, together with Cameron of Lochiel, 
and his brother, and a few other exiles. They set sail lor 
France : and, after having been chased by two English 
inen-of-war, they arrived in safety at a place called Roseau, 
near Morlaix, in Bretagne. Perhaps he would have found 
it more difficult to escape, had not the vigilance of his pur¬ 
suers been relaxed by a report that he was already slain. 

9 . In the mean time, while the pretender was thus pur¬ 
sued. the scaffolds and the gibbets were preparing for his 
adherents. Seventeen officers of the rebel army were 
hanged, drawn, and quartered, at Kennington-common, in 

the neighbourhood of London. Their constancy in death 
© _ 


S3 8 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


gained more proselytes to their cause than even perhaps 
their victories would have obtained. Nine were executed 
in the same manner at Carlisle, and eleven at York. A few 
obtained pardon, and a considerable number of common 
men were transported to the plantations in North America. 

10. The earls of Kilmarnock and Cromartie, and the 
lord Balmerino, were tried by their peers, and found guilty 
Cromartie was pardoned, and the rest were beheaded on 
Tower-hill. 

In this manner victory, defeat, negotiation, treachery, and 
rebellion, succeeded each other rapidly for some years, till 
all sides began to think themselves growing more feeble, 
and gaining no solid advantage. 

11. A negotiation was, therefore, resolved upon; and 
the contending powers agreed to come to a congress at 
Aix-la-Chapelle, where the earl of Sandford and sir Thomas 
Robinson assisted as plenipotentiaries from the king of 
Great Britain. 'This treaty was begun upon the preliminary 
condition of restoring all conquests made during the war. 

12. From thence great hopes were expected of conditions 
both favourable and honourable to the English ; but the 
treaty still remains a lasting mark of precipitate counsels 
and English disgrace. By this it was agreed, that all pri¬ 
soners on each side should be mutually restored, and all 
conquests given up. That the dutchies of Parma, Placentia, 
and Guastalla, should be ceded to don Philip, heir-apparent 
to the Spanish throne, and to his heirs ; but in case of his 
succeeding to the crown of Spain, then these dominions 
should revert to the house of Austria. 13. It was con- 
fmned that the fortifications of Dunkirk to the sea should 
be demolished ; that the English ships annually sent with 
slaves to the coast of New Spain should have this privilege 
continued for four years ; that the king of Prussia should 
be confirmed in the possession of Silesia, which he had 
lately conquered ; and that the queen of Hungary should 
be secured in her patrimonial dominions. 14. But one 
article of this peace was more displeasing and afhicthe tc 
the English than all the rest. It was stipulated that the 
king of Great Britain should, immediately after the ratifica¬ 
tion of this treaty, send two persons of rank and distinction 
to France, as hostages, until restitution should be made of 
Gape Breton, and all other conquests which England had 
made during the war. 15. This was a mortifying clause? 
but. to add to the general error of the negotiation. Ho men: 


GEORUE II. 


339 


tlon was made of the searching the vessels of England in 
the American seas, upon which the war was originally 
begun. The limits of their respective possessions in North 
America were not ascertained; nor did they receive any 
equivalent for those forts which they restored to the enemy. 
Id The treaty of Utrecht had long been the object of re¬ 
proach to those by whom it was made ; but with all its 
faults, the treaty now concluded was by far more despicable 
anc'. erroneous. Yet such was the spirit of the times, that 
the treaty of Utrecht was branded with universal contempt, 
and the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was extolled with the 
highest strains of praise. 

17. 'This treaty, which some asserted would serve for a 
bond of permanent amity, was, properly speaking, but a 
temporary truce ; a cessation from hostilities, which both 
sides were unable to continue. Though the war between 
England ami France was actually hushed up in Europe, 
vet in the East and West Indies it still went forward with 
undiminished vehemence; both sides still willing to offend 
still otfending, and yet both complaining of the infraction. 


Questions for /Examination. 

I, g. In what situation was the pretenrler alter the battle of Culloden t 
3 Whose adventures did his resemble ? 

4. Who was his most faithful attendant ? 

5. In what manner tin! he address one of his opponents 

7. By what means did he escape 1 and what was lus apjiearance ? 

8. By whom was he acconqianied ? 

9 In what manner were his adherents punished? 

10. What noblemen were beheaded ? 

11. What led to a negotiation between Great Britain and Spain ? 

I 4 ?. What hopes were exjiected from this treaty ? What was the result ? 
13. What were its coiidiuons ? 

14 Which article of the pence was very displeasing to the English t 
15. What was another error in the negotiation ? 

16 Wnat opinion was held of this treaty ? 


SECTION VIII. 

In distant clime* we wane unequal war. 

And transatlantic broils our com tort non — .lour* 

1 f). 1750.) A new colony having been formed in 

Ninth America, in the province of Nova Scotia, it wao 
thought that thither the waste of an exuberant nation might 
well’be drained off; and those bold spirits kept in employ¬ 
ment at a distance, who might be dangerous if stiffen'd to 
ocutinue in idleness at home. Nova Scotia was a place 






340 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


where men might be imprisoned, but not maintained ; it was 
cold, barren, and incapable of successful cultivation. 2 
The new colony, therefore, was maintained there with some 
expense to the government in the beginning : and such as 
were permitted soon went southward to the milder climates 
where they were invited by an untenanted and fertile soil 
Thus did the nation ungratefully send off her hardy veterans 
to perish on inhospitable shores, and this they were taugh 
3> believe would extend their dominions. 

3. However, it was for this barren spot that the English 
and French revived the war, which soon after spread with 
such terrible devastation over every part of the globe. The 
native Indians bordering upon the deserts of Nova Scotia, a 
fierce and savage people, looked from the first with jealousy 
upon these new settlers ; and they considered the vicinity 
of the English as an encroachment upon their native pos¬ 
sessions. 4. The French, who were neighbours, in like 
manner, and who were still impressed with national animo¬ 
sity, fomented these suspicions in the natives, and repre¬ 
sented the English (and with regard to this colony the 
representation might be true) as enterprising and severe 
Commissaries were, therefore, appointed to meet at Paris, 
to compromise these disputes ; but these conferences were 
rendered abortive by the cavillings of men, who could not 
be supposed to understand the subject in debate. 

5. As this seemed to be the first place where the dissen¬ 
sions took their rise for a new war, it may be necessary to 
be a little more minute. The French had been the first 
cultivators of Nova Scotia, and by great industry and long 
perseverance had rendered the soil, naturally barren, some¬ 
what fertile, and capable of sustaining nature, with some 
assistance from Europe. This country, however, had fre¬ 
quently changed masters, until at length the English were 
settled in the possession, and acknowledged as the rightful 
owners, by the treaty of Utrecht. 6. The possession of 
this country was reckoned necessary to defend the English 
colonies to the north, and to preserve their superiority in the 
fisheries in that part of the world. The French, however, 
who had been long settled in the back part of the country, 
resolved to use every method to dispossess the new-comers, 
and spirited up the Indians to more open hostilities, which 
were represented to the English ministry for some time 
without redress. 

7. Soon after this, another source of dispute began to bt 


GEORGE II. 


341 


f~ren in the same part of the world, and promised as much 
uneasiness as the former. 'The French, pretending lirst to 
have discovered the mouth of the river Mississippi, claimed 
the whole adjacent country towards New Mexico on the 
east, and quite to the Apalachian mountains on the west. 8. 
In order to asser* their claims, they found several English, 
who had settled oeyoud these mountains from motives o! 
commerce, and also invited by the natural beauties of the 
country ; they dispossessed them of their new settlements, 
End built such forts as would command the whole country 
round about. 

9. Not in America alone, but also in Asia, the seeds of 
a new war were preparing to be expanded. On the coasts 
of Malabar, the English and French had, in fact, never 
ceased from hostilities. 

(A. D. 1750.) The ministry, however, in England now 
began a very vigorous exertion in defence of their colonies, 
who refused to defend themselves. Four operations were 
undertaken in America at the same time. Of these, one 
was commanded bv colonel Monckton, .who had orders to 

nJ 

drive the French from the encroachments upon the province 
of Nova Scotia. 10. The second, more to the south, was 
directed against Crown Point, under ine command of gene¬ 
ral Johnson. The third, under the conduct of general Shir¬ 
ley, was destined to Niagara, to secure the forts on that 
river; and the fourth was farther southward still, against 
fort du Quesne, under general Braddock. 

11. In these expeditions Monckton was successful \ 
Johnson also was victorious, though he failed in taking the 
fort against which he was scut ; Shirley was thought to 
have lost the season for operation by delay ; Braddock was 
vigorous and active, but suffered a defeat. Phis bold com¬ 
mander, who had been recommended to this service by the 
duke of Cumberland, set forward upon this expedition in 
June, and left the cultivated parts of the country on the 10th, 
at the head of two thousand two hundred men, directing his 
march to that part of the country whence major Washington 
had retreated the year before. 12. Being at length within 
ten miles of the French fortress he was appointed to besiege, 
and marching forward through the forest with full confidence 
of success, on a sudden his whole army was astonished by 
a general discharge of arms, both in front and dank, from 
an enemy that still remained unseen. It was now too laie 
to think of retreating ; the troops had passed into the defile, 

2 f 2 


342 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


which the enemy had artfully permitted them to do before 
they offered to tire. 13. The vanguard of the English now, 
’herefore, fell back in consternation upon the main body, 
and tbe panic soon became general. The officers alone 
disdained to fly, while Braddock himself still continued to 
command his brave associates, discovering at once the 
greatest intrepidity and the greatest imprudence. 14. An 
enthusiast to the discipline of war, he disdained to fly from 
the field, or to permit his men to quit their ranks, when 
their only method of treating the Indian army v/as by pre¬ 
cipitate attack, or an immediate desertion of the field of 
battle. At length Braddock, having received a musket-shot 
through the lungs, dropped, and a total confusion ensued 
All the artillery, ammunition, and baggage of the army was 
left to the enemy : and the loss sustained by the English 
army might amount to seven hundred rnen. The remnant 
of tbe army in this emergency was saved by the courage and 
ability of Washington. 

15. The murmurs, fears, and dissensions which this 
defeat gave rise to, gave the French an opportunity of car 
rying on their designs in another quarter. The island of 
Minorca, which we had taken from the Spaniards in the 
reign of queen Anne, was secured to England by repeated 
treaties. But the ministry^ at this time, being blinded by 
domestic terrors, had neglected to take sufficient precaution 
for its defence, so that tbe garrison was weak, and no way 
fitted to stand a vigorous siege. 1G. The French, there¬ 
fore, landed near the fortification of St. Philip, which was 
reckoned one of the strongest in Europe, and commanded 
by general Blakensy, who was brave indeed, but rather 
superannuated. The siege was carried on with vigour, and 
for some time as obstinately defended on the side of the 
English ; but the place was at length obliged to capitulate. 


Questions for Examination. 

i, 2. From what motive was the new colony in Nova Scotia furnished with 
inhabitants ? 

3- What was the cause of the renewal of the war ? 

4 Where were commissaries apfwinted to meet to settle these disputes ( 
What rendered these conferences abortive ? 

5 Who had been the first cultivators of Nova Scotia? 

Who had been acknowledged rightful owners of this country? 

6 What method did the French use to dispossess the English ? 

8 What other conduct of die French contributed to hasten the wax? 

9, 10. What operations were undertaken by the English? 

11. What success attended them? 



GEORGE II. 


348 


12 13. Relate the particulars of general Braddock’s expedition. 

14 Wlial was the result of it? 

15 16. What other enterprise did the French undertake '( and with svhal 

success ? 


SECTION IX. 

Mow many traitois to their God and King 

Escape the death which was reserved tor Byng.— Jinon. 

1. (A.D. 1757.) The ministry, being - apprized of this un¬ 
expected attack, resolved to raise the siege if possible, and 
sent out admiral Byng, with ten ships of war, with orders 
to relieve Minorca at any rate. Byng accordingly sailed 
from Gibraltar, where he was refused any assistance of men 
from the governor of that garrison, under a pretence that his 
own fortifications were in danger. 2. Upon his approaching 
the island, he saw the French banners displayed upon the 
shore, and the English colours still flying on the castle of 
St. Philip. He had been ordered to throw a body of troops 
into the garrison, but this he thought too hazardous an un¬ 
dertaking, nor did he even make an attempt. While he 
was thus deliberating between his fears and his duty, his 
attention was quickly called off by the appearance of a 
French fleet, that seemed of nearly equal force to his own. 
3. Confounded by a variety of measures, he seemed re¬ 
solved to pursue none, and, therefore, gave orders to form 
the line of battle, and act upon the defensive. Byng had 
been long praised for his skill in naval tactics; and, per¬ 
haps, valuing most those talents for which he was most 
praised, he sacrificed all claims to courage to the applause 
lor naval discipline. The French fleet advanced, a part of 
the English fleet engaged ; the admiral still kept aloof, and 
gave very plausible reasons for not coming into action. The 
French fleet, therefore, slowly sailed away, and no other 
opportunity ever offered of coming to a closer engagement 
4. Nothing could exceed the resentment of the nation 
upon being informed of Byng’s conduct. The ministry 
were not averse to throwing from themselves the blame of 
those measures which were attended with such indifferent 
success, and they secretly fanned the flame. 5. The news 
which soon after arrived of the surrender of the yarrison to 
the French, drove the general ferment almost to frenzy. In 
the mean time Byng continued at Gibraltar, quite satisfied 
with his own conduct, and little expecting the dreadful 
storm that was gathering against him at home Orders 



844 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


however, were soon sent out for putting- him under ar. 
arrest, and for carrying him to England. 0. Upon his 
arrival he was committed to close custody in Greenwich 
hospital, and some arts used to inflame the populace against 
him, who want no incentives to injure and condemn thei* 
superiors Several addresses were sent up from different 
counties, demanding justice on the delinquent, which the 
ministry were willing to second. 7. He was soon after 
tried bv a court-martial in the harbour of Portsmouth, 
w here, after a trial which continued several days, his judges 
were agreed that he had not done his utmost during the 
engagement to destroy the enemy, and therefore they ad¬ 
judged him to suffer death by the twelfth article of war. 
At the same time, however, they recommended him as an 
object of mercy, as they considered his conduct rather as 
the effect of error than of cow ardice. By this sentence they 
expected to satisfy at once the resentment of the nation, and 
yet screen themselves from conscious severity. 8. The 
government was resolved upon showing him no mercy; the 
parliament was applied to in his favour; but they found no 
circumstance in his conduct that could invalidate the former 
sentence. Being thus abandoned to his fate, he maintained 
to the last a degree of fortitude and serenity that no way 
betrayed any timidity or cowardice. On the day fixed for 
his execution, which was on board a man-of-war in the 
harbour of Portsmouth, he advanced from the cabin where 
he had been imprisoned, upon deck, the place appointed for 
him to suffer. 9. After delivering a paper, containing the 
strongest assertions of his innocence, he came forward to 
the place where he was to kneel down, and for some time 
persisted in not covering his face ; but his friends repre¬ 
senting that his looks would possibly intimidate the soldiers 
who were to shoot him, and prevent their taking a proper 
aim, he had Ins eyes bound with a handkerchief; and then 
giving the signal for the soldiers to fire, he was killed in¬ 
stantaneously. There appears some severity in Byng’s 
punishment; but it certainly produced soon after very Lent* 
fieial effects to the nation. 

10. In the progress of the war the forces of the con¬ 
tending [lowers of Europe w r ere now drawn out in the 
following manner. England opposed France in America. 
Asia, and on the ocean. France attacked Hanover on the 
continent of Europe. This country the king of Prussia 
undertook to protect; while England promised him troops 


4 



v 

GEORGE II. 


345 


Death of Admiral B'/ag. 

an i money to assist in the operations. Then again Austria 
had her aims at the dominions of Prussia, and drew the 
elector of Saxony into the same designs. In these views 
she was seconded by France and Sweden, and by Russia, 
who had hopes of acquiring a settlement in the west of 
Eu rope. 

11. The east was the quarter in which success first 
began to dawn upon the British arms. The affairs of the 
English seemed to gain the ascendency by the conduct of 
Mr. Clive. 'Phis gentleman had at first entered the com¬ 
pany’s service in a civil capacity ; but finding his talents 
more adapted to war, he gave up his clerkship, and joined 
among the troops as a volunteer. His courage, which is 
all that subordinate officers can at first show, soon became 
remarkable ; but his conduct, expedition, and military skill 
soon after became so conspicuous as to raise him to the first 
rank in the army. 

12. 'The first advantage that was obtained from his ac¬ 
tivity and courage was the clearing the province of Arcot. 
Soon after the French general was taken prisoner ; and the 
nabob, whom the English supported, was reinstated in til 
government of u'hich he had formerly been deprived. 

13. The prince of the greatest power in that country 
declared war against the English from motives of personal 
resentment; and, levying a numerous army, laid siege to 
Calcutta, one of the principal British forts in that part of 





HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


34(5 

the world ; but which was not in a state of strength to de¬ 
fend itself against the attack even of barbarians. 'The fort 
was taken., having been deserted by the commander; and 
the garrison, to the number of a hundred and forty-six per¬ 
sons, were made prisoners 

14. They expected the usual treatment of prisoners of 
war, and were therefore the less vigorous in their defence; 
but they soon found what mercy was to be expected from a 
savage conqueror. They were ail crowded together into 
a narrow prison, called the Black Hole, of about eighteen 
feet square, and received air only by two small windows to 
the west, which by no means afforded a sufficient circula¬ 
tion. 15. It is terrible to reflect on the situation of these 
unfortunate men, shut up in this narrow place, in the burning 
ckmate of the East, and sufi\>o^ 4 *otr each other. Their first 
eff< rts, upo i perceiving t.ne eflhof-’ of their horrid coniine- 
ment, were to break open the door of the prison: but, as 
it opened inwards, they soon found that impossible. They 
next endeavoured to excite the compassion or the avarice of 
the guard, by offering him a large sum of money for his 
assistance in removing them into separate prisons; but with 
this he was not able to comply, as the viceroy was asleep, 
and no person dared to disturb him. Iff. They were now, 
therefore, left to die without hopes of relief; and the whole 
prison was tilled with groans, shrieks, contest, and despair 
This turbulence, however, soon after sunk into a calm still 
more hideous! their efforts of strength and courage were 
over, and an expiring languor succeeded. In the morning, 
when the keepers came to visit the prison, all was horror, 
silence, and desolation. Of a hundred and forty-six who 
had entered alive, twenty-three only survived, and of these 
the greatest part died of putrid fevers upon being set free. 

17. 'The destruction of this important fortrtss seived to 
interrupt the prosperous success of the English company ; 
but the fortune of Mr. Clive, backed by the activity of an 
English fleet under admiral Watson, still turned the scale 
in their favour. Among the number of those who felt the 
power of the English in that part of the world was the 
famous Tullagee Angria, a piratical prince, who had long 
inf ested the Indian ocean, and made the princes on the 
coast his tributaries. He maintained a large number of 
galleys, and with these he attacked the largest ships, and 
almost ever with success. 18. As the company had been 
greatly harassed by his depredations, they resolved to sub- 


GEORGE II. 


347 

due such a dangerous enemy, and attack him in his own 
f >rtress. In pursuance of this resolution, admiral Watson 
and colonel Clive sailed into his harbour ol Geriah ; and 
though they sustained a warm fire as they entered, yet they 
soon threw all his ileet into flames, and obliged his fort to 
surrender at discretion. The conquerors found there a large 
quantity of warlike stores, and effects to a considerable value. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 VVno was sent out to the relief of Minorca ? 

2, 3. What was the conduct of admiral Byng ? 

4 What was the consequence ? 

5. Wh.it afterwards followed ? 

6. What treatment did Byng experience? 

7 What w’as the result of the court-martial ? 

8,9. Relate the manner of Byng’s execution. 

• 0. In what manner were the contending powers opposed to each other? 

11 In what quarter did success first attend the British arms ? 

From whose conduct? 

12 13. What were the first operations ? 

14—16. Relate the terrible situation of the prisoners confined in the Black 
Hole at Calcutta. 

17, 18. What are the particulars of the success which attended colonel Cliv e 
and admiral Watson ? 


SECTION X. 

Pelham mu pince and life resigns, 

('live, erst unheard of in the nation, 

Saves India, tint* Iii«-hI star that shines 

In our commercial constellation.— Dibdin. 

1. (A.D. 1757.) Colonel Clive proceeded to take re¬ 
venge for the cruelty practised upon the English. About 
the beginning of December he arrived at Balasore, in the 
kingdom of Bengal, lie met with little opposition either 
to the fleet or army, till they came before Calcutta, which 
seemed resolved to stand a regular siege. As soon as the 
admiral with two ships arrived before the town, he received 
a furious fire from all the batteries, which he soon returned 
with still greater execution, and in less than two hours 
obliged them to abandon their fortifications. Bv these 
means the English took possession of the two strongest 
settlements on the banks of the Ganges ; but that of Geriah 
thov demolished to the ground. 

2. Soon after these successes, Hoogly, a city of great 
trade, was reduced, with as little difficulty as the former, 
and all the viceroy of Bengal’s storehouses and granaries 
were destroyed. In order to repair these hisses, this barba¬ 
rous prince assembled an army of ten thousand horse and 





348 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


fifteen thousand foot, and professed a firm resolution of 
expelling the English from all their settlements in that part 
of the world. 3. Upon the first intelligence of his march 
colonel (’live obtained a reinforcement of men from the 
admiral’s ships, and advanced with his little army to attach 
these numerous forces. He attacked the enemy in three 
columns, and, though the numbers were so disproportionate, 
victory soon declared in favour of the English. 

4. The English by these victories having placed a viceroy 
on the throne (for the Mogul had long lost all power in 
India), they took care to exact such stipulations in their 
own favour as would secure them in possession of the 
country whenever they thought proper to resume their 
authority. They were gratified in their avarice to its ex¬ 
tremes! wish ; and that wealth which they had plundered 
from slaves in India, they were resolved to employ in mak¬ 
ing slaves at home. 

5. From the conquest of the Indians, colonel Clive turned 
to the humbling of the French, who had long disputed 
empire in that part of the world, and soon dispossessed 
them of all their power, and all their settlements. 

6. In the mean time, while conquest shone upon us from 
the East, it was still more splendid in the western world. 
But some alterations in the ministry led to those successes 
which had been long wished for by the nation, and were at 
length obtained. The affairs of war had hitherto been 
directed by a ministry but ill supported by the commons, 
because not confided in by the people. They seemed timid 
and wavering, and but feebly held together, rather by theii 
fears than their mutual confidence. 7. When any new 
measure was proposed which could not receive their appro¬ 
bation, or any new member was introduced into government 
whom they did not appoint, they considered it as an in¬ 
fringement on their respective departments, and threw up 
their places with disgust, with a view to resume them with 
greater lustre. Thus the strength of the crown was every 
day declining, while an aristocracy filled up every avenue 
to the throne, intent only on the emolument, not the duties 
of office. 

8. This was. at that time, the general opinion of the 
people, and it was too loud not to reach the throne. The 
ministry that had hitherto hedged in the throne were at 
i .igt’n obliged to admit some men into a share of the govern¬ 
ment, whose activity at least would counterbalance their 


GEORGE II. 


349 


Lmidity and irresolution. At the head of a newly intio- 
ilueed party was the celebrated Mr. William Pitt, from 
whose vigour the nation formed very great expectations, and 
they were not deceived. 

9. But though the old ministers were obliged to admit 
these new members into their society, there was no legal 
penalty for refusing to co-operate with them; they, there¬ 
fore, associated with each other, and used every art to make 
theii new assistants obnoxious to the king, upon whom they 
had been in a manner forced by the people. His former 
ministry flattered him in all his attachments to his German 
dominions, while the new had long clajnoured against all 
continental connexions, as utterly incompatible with the 
interest of the nation. 'These two opinions, carried to the. 
extreme, might have been erroneous; but the king was 
naturally led to side with those who favoured his own sen¬ 
timents, and to reject those who opposed them. 

10. Mr. Pitt, therefore, after beinga few months in office 
was ordered to resign by his majesty’s command; and his 
coadjutor, Mr. I ■•egge, was displaced from being chancellor 
of the exchequer. But this blow to his ambition was but 
of short continuance ; the whole nation, almost to a man, 
seemed to rise up in his defence ; and Mr. Pitt and Mr. 
Legge being restored to their former employments, the one 
secretary of state, and the other chancellor of the exche¬ 
quer, began to act with vigour. 

11. The consequence of the former ill-conducted counsels 
still seemed to continue in America. 'The generals sent 
over to manage the operations of the war loudly accused 
the timidity and delays of the natives, whose duty it was 
to unite in their own defence. The natives, on the othei 
hand, as warmly expostulated against the pride, avarice, 
and incapacity of those sent over to command them. 12. 
General Shirley, who had been appointed to the supreme 
command there, had been for some time recalled, and re¬ 
placed by lord Loudon ; and this nobleman also soon after 
returning to England, three several commanders were put at 
the head of separate operations. General Amherst com 
mantled that designed against the island of Gape Breton 
The other was consigned to general Abercrombie, against 
Crown Point and Ticonderoga ; and the third, still more to 
the southward, against Fort du Quesne, commanded by 
brigadier-general Forbes. 

13. Cape Breton, which had been taken from the French 

2 G 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


350 

during the preceding war, had been returned at the treaty of 
.Aix-la-Chapelle. It was not till the English had beer, pul 
in possession of that island that they began to perceive its 
advantageous situation, and the convenience of its harbour 
for annoying the British trade with impunity. It was also 
a convenient port for carrying on their fishery, a branch of 
commerce of the utmost benefit to that nation. The wrest¬ 
ing it, therefore, once more from the hands of the French, 
was a measure ardently desired by the whole nation. 14. 
The fortress of Louisbourg, by which it was defended, had 
been strengthened by the assistance of art, and was still 
better fortified by*the nature of its situation. The garrison 
also was numerous, the commander vigilant, and every 
precaution taken to oppose a landing. An account of the 
operations of the siege can give but little pleasure in abridg¬ 
ment ; be it sufficient to say, that the English surmounted 
every obstacle with great intrepidity. Their former timidity 
and irresolution seemed to vanish, their natural courage and 
confidence returned, and the place surrendered by capitula¬ 
tion. The fortifications were soon after demolished, and 
rendered unfit for future protection. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What further successes attended colonel Clive? 

2 3. What victory did he obtain over ihe viceroy of Bengal ? 

4 What was the consequence of these victories? 

5 How did colonel ('live treat the French ? 
fi, 7. What was the conduct of the ministry ? 

8. Who was at the head of the newly introduced party? 

9. What was the conduct of the old ministry ? 

For what reasons was the king favourable to his former ministers 
10 What fitllowed the resignation of the new ministers ? 

12. What generals commanded the American operations? 

13 Why was (’ape Breton considered an advantageous situation ? 

14. Relate the particulars of the capture of Louisbourg 


SECTION XI. 

IliR country's glory tired him as he died. 

Her love slill sounded in his tali’nng breath ; 

O bless he: arms, the failing conqueror cried, 
ileav'n heard, and victory adorned Ins death. 

Elegy on the death aj IVolfe. 

1 (A.D. 1758.) The expedition of Fort du Quesne was 
equally successful, but that against Crown Point was once 
more defeated. This was now the second time that the 
English army had attempted to penetrate into those hideous 
wilds by which nature bad secured the French possessions 
in that part of the world. Braddock fell in the attempt 




GEORGE II. 


351 


a martyr to his impetuosity: too much caution was equally 
injurious to his successor. Abercrombie spent much time 
in marching to the place of action, and the enemy were 
thus perfectly prepared to give him a severe reception. 2. 
As he approached Ticonderoga, he found them deeply in¬ 
trenched at the foot of the fort, and still farther secured by 
fallen trees, with their branches pointing against him. 
These difficulties trie English ardour attempted to surmount: 
but as the enemy, being secure themselves, took aim a 
leisure, a terrible carnage of the assailants ensued ; and the 
general, after repeated efforts, was obliged to order a retreat. 

3. The English army, however, were still superior, and it 
was supposed, that when the artillery was arrived, some¬ 
thing more successful might be performed ; but the general 
felt too sensibly the terror of the late defeat to remain in 
the neighbourhood of the triumphant enemy. He therefore 
withdrew his troops, and returned to his camp at Lake 
George, from whence he had taken his departure. 

4. Hut though, in this respect, the English arms were 
unsuccessful, yet upon the whole the campaign was greatly 
in their favour. The taking of Fort du Quesne served to 
remove from their colonies the terror of the incursions of 
the Indians, while it interrupted that correspondence which 
ran along a chain of forts, with which the French had envi¬ 
roned the English settlements in America. This, therefore, 
promised a fortunate campaign the next year, and vigorous 
measures were taken to ensure success. 

5. Accordingly, on the opening of the following year, the 
ministry, sensible that a single effort carried on in such an 
extensive country «ould never reduce the enemy, were re¬ 
solved to attack them in several parts of the empire at once. 
Preparations were also made, and expeditions driven for¬ 
ward against three different parts of North America at the 
same time. 6. General Amherst, the commander-in-chief 
with a body of twelve thousand men, was to attack Crown 
Point, that had hitherto been the reproach of the English 
army. General Wolfe was at the opposite quarter to entei 
the river St. Lawrence, and undertake the siege of Quebec 
the capital of the French dominions in America: while ge¬ 
neral Prideaux and sir William Johnson were to attempt «s 
French fort near the cataract of Niagara. 

7. The last-named expedition was the first that succeed 
ed. The fort of Niagara was a place of great importance. 
*ind served to command all the communication between the 


352 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


northern and western French settlements. The siege was 
begun with vigour, and promised an easy conquest; but 
general Prideatix was killed in the trenches by the bursting 
of a mortar, so that the whole command of the expedition 
devolved upon general Johnson, who omitted nothing to 
push forward the vigorous operations of his predecessor, to 
which also he added his own popularity with the soldiers 
Under him. 8. A body of French troops, who were sensi¬ 
ble of the importance of this fort, attempted to relieve it; 
but Johnson attacked them with intrepidity and success; for 
in less than an hour their whole army was put to the rout 
The garrison soon after, perceiving the fate of their coun¬ 
trymen, surrendered prisoners of war. The success of ge¬ 
neral Amherst was less splendid, though not less servicea¬ 
ble ; upon arriving at the destined place, he found the forts, 
both of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, deserted and de¬ 
stroyed. 

9. (A.D. 1759.) There now, therefore, remained hut one 
grand and decisive blow to put all North America into the 
possession of the English ; and this was the taking of Que¬ 
bec, the capital of Canada, a city handsomely built, popu¬ 
lous and flourishing. Admiral Saunders was appointed to 
command the naval part of the expedition ; the siege by 
land was committed to the conduct of general Wolfe, of 
whom the nation had great expectations. This young sol¬ 
dier, who was not thirty-five, had distinguished himself on 
many former occasions, particularly at the siege of Louis 
bourg, a part of the success of which was justly ascribed to 
him, who, without being indebted to family or connexions 
had raised himself by merit to his present command. 

10. The war in this part of the world had been hitherto 
carried on with extreme barbarity, and retaliating murders 
were continued without any one’s knowing who first began. 
Wolfe, however, disdaining to imitate an example that had 
been set him even by some of his associate officers, carried 
on the war with all the spirit of humanity which it admits 
of. 11. It is not our aim to enter into a minute detail of 
the siege of this city, which could at best only give amuse 
mint to a few ; it will be sufficient to say, that when wt 
consider the situation of a town on the side of a great river, 

he fortifications with which it was secured, the natural 
strength of the country, the great number of vessels and 
floating batteries the enemy had provided for the defence of 
the river, the numerous bodies of savages continually hover 


GEORGE II. 


353 

ing round the English army, we must own there was such a 
combination of difficulties as might discourage and perplex 
the most resolute commander. 12. The general himself 
seemed perfectly sensible of the difficulty of the undertaking 
After stating, in a letter to the ministry, the dangers that pic 
sen ted, “ 1 know,” said he, “ that the affairs of Great Britain 
require the most vigorous measures. But then the courage 
of a handful of brave men should be exerted only where 
then is some hope of a favourable event. At present the 
difficulties are so various, that l am at a loss how to deter¬ 
mine.” 13. The only prospect of attempting the town with 
success was by landing a body of troops in the night below 
the town, who were to clamber up the banks of the river, 
and take possession of the ground on the back of the city 
This attempt, however, appeared peculiarly discouraging. 
The stream was rapid, the shore shelving, the bank above 
lined with sentinels, the landing-place so narrow as to be 
easily missed in the dark, and the steepness of the ground 
such as hardly to be surmounted in the day-time. All these 
difiiculties, however, were surmounted by the conduct of 
the general, and ihe bravery of the men. 14. Colonel How, 
with the light infantry and the Highlanders, ascended the 
woody precipices with admirable courage and activity, and 
dislodged a small body of troops that defended a narrow 
pathway up to the bank ; thus, a few mounting, the general 
drew the rest up in order as they arrived. Monsieur de 
Montcalm, the French commander, was no sooner apprized 
that the English had gained these heights, which he had 
confidently deemed inaccessible, than he resolved to hazard 
a battle, and a spirited encounter quickly began. This was 
on** of the most furious engagements during the war. 15. 
The French general was slain ; the second in command 
shared the same fate. General Wolfe was standing on the 
right, where die attack was most warm ; as he stood con¬ 
spicuous in the front line, he had been aimed at by the ene¬ 
my's marksmen, and received a shot in the wrist, which, 
however, did not oblige him to quit the field. Having 
wrapped a handkerchief round his hand, he continued giving 
orders without the least emotion, and advanced at the head 
of the grenadiers, with their bayonets fixed : hut a second 
ball, more fatal, pierced his breast; so that, unable to pro¬ 
ceed, he leaned on the shoulder of a soldier that was nexl 
him. 10. Now, struggling in the agonies of death, and jusi 
expiiing, he heard a voice erv, “ They run!” Upon which 


354 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



Death of General Wolfe. 


he seemed for a moment to revive, and asking who ran, was 
informed the French. Expressing his wonder that they ran 
so soon, and unable to gaze any longer, he sunk on the sol¬ 
dier’s breast, and his last words were, “ I die happy ! M 
Perhaps the loss of the English that day was greater than 
the conquest of Canada was advantageous. But it is the 
lot of mankind only to know irue merit on that dreadful oc¬ 
casion when they are going to lose it. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What was the success against Fort du Quesne ? 

2. What difficulties had Abercrombie to encounter ? 

3 To what place did he withdraw his troops ? 

4 What was the general success of the campaign ? 

5. What vigorous measures were adopted the following year? 

G. By whom were the different expeditions commanded ? 

7, 8. What are the particulars of the expedition which first succeeded ? 

9. What was the next decisive blow ? 

To whom was intrusted tne command of the expedition against Quebec 
LO In what manner did Wolfe carry on the war? 
i I What was the situation and strength of Quebec? 

2 What was the opinion of the general ? 

3 14. Relate the particulars and success of the siege. 

* 5 In what manner was general Wolfe wounded ? 

Relate his heroic conduct in the agonies of death. 


















WEORGE II. 


805 


SECTION XII. 

Freeh laurels eraceri the victor’s brow 
On Midden's «<>ry plains ; 

Bui what avail those laurels now?— 

Imaginary gains! — Anon. 

1. (A.D. 1759.) The surrender of Quebec was the con¬ 
sequence of ibis victory ; and with it soon after the total 
cession of all Canada. The French, indeed, the following 
season, made a vigorous ellbrt to retake the city ; but by 
the resolution of governor Murray, and the appearance of 
an English fleet under the command of lord Colville, they 
were obliged to abandon the enterprise. 2. The wholo 
province was soon after reduced by the prudence and acti¬ 
vity of general Amherst, who obliged the French army to 
capitulate, and it has since remained annexed to the British 
empire. To these conquests, about the same time was 
added the reduction of the island of Gaudaloupe, undei 
commodore Moore and general Hopson ; an acquisition of 
great importance, but which was restored at the succeeding 
peace. 

3. These successes in India and America were great 
though achieved by no very extensive efforts ; on the con¬ 
trary, the efforts of the English made in Europe, and the 
operations of their great ally, the king of Prussia, were asto¬ 
nishing, yet produced no signal advantages. 

4. England was all this time happily retired from the mi 
series which oppressed the rest of Europe ; yet from her 
natural military ardour, she seemed desirous of sharing those 
dangers of which she was only a spectator. This passion 
for sharing in a continental war was not less pleasing to the 
king of England, from his native attachment, than from a 
desire of revenge upon the plunderers of his country. 5. As 
soon, therefore, as it was known that prince Ferdinand had 
put himself at the head of the Hanoverian army, to assist 
the king of Prussia, his Britannic majesty, in a speech to 
his parliament, observed that the late successes of his ally in 
Germany had given a happy turn to his affairs, which it 
would be necessary to improve. The commons concurred 
in his sentiments, and liberally granted supplies both for the 
service of thx, king of Prussia, and for enabling the army 
formed in Hanover to act vigorously in conjunction with 
him. 

6. From sending money over into Germany, the nation 
began to extend their benefits ; and it was soon considered 
that men would be a more grateful supply. Mr. Pitt, who 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


35(3 

had at first come into popularity and power by opposing 
such measures, was now prevailed on to enter into them 
with even greater ardour than any of his predecessors. 7. 
The hopes of putting a speedy end tc the war by vigorous 
measures, the connexions with which he was obliged to co 
operate, and perhaps the pleasure he found in pleasing the 
king, altogether incited him eagerly to push forward a con 
tiucntal war. However, he only conspired with the general 
inclinations of the people at this time, who, assured by the 
noble efforts of their only ally, were unwilling to see him 
fall a sacrifice to the united ambition of his enemies. 

8. In order to indulge the general inclination of assisting 
the king of Prussia, the duke of Marlborough was at first 
sent into Germany, with a small body of British forces to 
join prince Ferdinand, whose activity against the French 
began to be crowned with success. After some small suc¬ 
cesses gained by the allied army at Crevelt, the duke of 
Marlborough dying, the command devolved upon lord George 
Sackville, who was at that time a favourite with the British 
army. 9. However, a misunderstanding arose between him 
and the commander-in-chief, which soon had an occasion of 
being displayed at the battle of Minden, which was fought 
soon after. The cause of this secret disgust on both sides 
is not clearly known; it is thought that the extensive genius 
and the inquisitive spirit of the English general were by no 
means agreeable to his superior in command, who hoped to 
reap some pecuniary advantages the other was unwilling to 
permit. 10. Be this as it will both armies advancing near 
(he town of Minden, the French began the attack with great 
vigour, and a general engagement of the infantry ensued. 
Lord George, at the head of the British and Hanoverian 
horse, was stationed at some distance on the right of the in¬ 
fantry, from which they were divided by a scanty wood that 
bordered on a heath. The French infantry giving ground, 
the prince thought that this would be a favourable opportu¬ 
nity to pour down the horse among them, and accordingly 
sent lord George orders to come on. 11. These orders 
were but ill-observed ; and whether they were unintelligible 
or contradictory, still remains a point for posterity to debate 
upon. It is certain that lord George shortly after w r as re¬ 
called, tried by a court-martial, found guilty, and declared 
mcapacle of serving in any military command for the future. 

12. The enemy, however, were repulsed in all their at¬ 
tacks with considerable loss, and at length, giving way, wrro 


GEORGE II. 


357 


pursued to the very ramparts of Minden. The victory was 
snlemlid, but laurels were the only advantage reaped from 
the li-ld of battle. 

13. After these victories, which were greatly magnified 
in England, it was supposed that one reinforcement more of 
British troops would terminate the war in favour of the allies, 
and a reinforcement was quickly sent. The British army 
n Germany now, therefore, amounted to above thirty thous¬ 
and men, and the whole nation was Hushed with the hopes 
of immediate conquest. But these hopes soon vanished, in 
finding victory and defeat successively following each other. 
The allies were worsted at Corbae, but retrieved their ho¬ 
nour at Exdorf. A victory at Warbourgh followed shortly 
after, and another at Zirenburg ; but then they suffered a 
defeat at Compen, after which both sides went into winter- 
quarters. 14. The successes thus on either side might be 
considered as a compact, by which both engaged to lose 
much and gain little ; for no advantage whatever followed 
from victory. The English at length began to open their 
eyes to their own interest, and found that they were waging 
unequal war, and loading themselves with taxes, for con¬ 
quests that they could neither preserve nor enjoy. 


Questions for Examination. 

1, 2. What consequence followed this victory? 

4. What passion operated for sharing in a continental war? 

5. Wl.at observation did his majesty make to the commons? and how did 

they concur in his sentiments ? 

6,7. What was Mr. Put’s conduct; and what were the general inclinations 
of the people ? 

8 What Knglish commander was first sent to Germany ? 

9. What caused the misunderstanding which took place between the com 
manders ? 

10, 1 1 I low did lord George Sackville act at the battle of Minden ? 

12. What was the success of it ? 

13. What followed these victories? 

14 In what light might the events of this war be considered ? 


SECTION XIII. 


The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow r. 

And all that beauty, all that weadh ere gave. 

Await alike the inevitable hour; 

The paths of glory lead but to the grave— (fray. 

1 (A. I). 1759.) It must be confessed, that the ed'»rts of 

England at this time over every part of the globe, were 
amazing, and the expense of her operations greater than hud 
evei been disbursed by any nation before. The king of 




358 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Prussia received a subsidy ; a large body of her forces com 
mantled the extensive peninsula of India; another army ol 
twenty thousand men confirmed their conquests in North 
America; tiiere were thirty thousand men employed in 
Germany, and several other bodies dispersed in different 
garrisons in various parts of the world ; but all these were 
nothing: to the force maintained at sea, which carried com- 
mand wherever it came, and had totally annihilated the 
French power on that element. 2. The courage and con¬ 
duct of the English admirals had surpassed whatever had 
been read in history ; neither superior force nor number, 
nor even the terrors of the tempest, could intimidate them 
Admiral Hawke gained a complete victory over an equal 
number of French ships, on the coast of Bretagne, in Qui- 
beron Bay, in the midst of a tempest, during the darkness 
of night; and what a seaman fears more, upon a rocky shore. 

3. Such was the glorious figure the British nation appear¬ 
ed in to all the world at this time. But while their arms 
prospered in every effort tending to the real interests of the 
nation, an event happened, which for a time obscured the 
splendour of her victories. On the twenty-fourth of Octo¬ 
ber, the king, without having complained of any previous 
disorder, was found by his domestics expiring in his cham¬ 
ber. 4. He bad arisen at his usual hour, and observed to 
his attendants, that, as the weather was fine, he would take 
a walk in the garden of Kensington, where he then resided. 
In a few minutes after his return, being left alone, be was 
heard to fall down upon the floor. The noise of this bring¬ 
ing his attendants into the room, they lifted him into bed, 
where he desired, with a faint voice, that the princess Ame¬ 
lia might be sent for: but, before she could reach the apart¬ 
ment, he expired. An attempt was made to bleed him, but 
without cfiect; and afterwards the surgeons, upon opening 
him, discovered that the right ventricle of the heart was 
rnptu-ed, and that a great quantity of blood was discharged 
through the aperture. 

5. (Oct. 25, 1760.) Ge'rge the Second died in the se¬ 
venty-seventh year of his age, and thirty-third of his reign, 
lamented by his subjects, and in the midst of victory. If 
any monarch was happy in the peculiar mode of his death, 
and the precise time of its arrival, it was he. 6. The uni¬ 
versal enthusiasm for conquest was now beginning to sub¬ 
tle* and sober reason to take her turn in the administration 
of alfairs The factions which had been nursing during his 




OEORGE II. 


359 


long reign had not yet come to maturity ; but threatened, 
With all their virulence, to afflict his successor. Me was 
himself of no shining abilities ; and while he was permitted 
to guide and assist his German dominions, lie intrusted the 
care of Great Britain to his ministers at home. However, 
as we stand too near to be impartial judges of his merits or 
defects, let us state his character, as delivered by two writ¬ 
ers of opposite opinions. 

7. “ On whatever side,” says his panegyrist, “ we look 
upon his character, we shall find ample matter for just and 
unsuspected praise. None of his predecessors on the throne 
of England lived to so great an age, or enjoyed longer feli¬ 
city. His subjects were still improving under him in com¬ 
merce and arts ; and his own economy seta prudent example 
to the nation, which, however, they did not follow. He 
was in temper sudden and violent; but this, though it influ¬ 
enced his conduct, made no change in his behaviour, which 
was generally guided hy reason. 8. He was plain and di¬ 
rect in his intentions, true to his word, steady in his favour 
and protection of his servants, not parting even with his mi¬ 
nisters till compelled to it by the violence of faction. In 
short, through the whole of his life, he appeared rather to 
live for the cultivation of useful virtues than splendid ones ; 
and, satisfied with being good, left others their unenvied 
greatness.” 

9. Such is the picture given by his friends, but there 
are others who reverse the medal. “ As to the extent of 
his understanding, or the splendour of his virtue, we rather 
wish for opportunities of praise than undertake the task 
ourselves. His public character was marked with a predi 
lection for his native country, and to that he sacrificed all 
other considerations. 10. He was not only unlearned him¬ 
self, but he despised learning in others: and though genius 
might have flourished in his reign, yet he neither promoted 
it by his influence nor example. His frugality bordered 
upon avarice ; and he hoarded not for his subjects, but him 
self.” Which of these tw r o characters is true, or whetlier 
they may not in part be both so, l will not pretend to deckle 
If Ins favourers are numerous, so are they who oppose him 
let posterity, therefore, decide the contest. 


860 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What astonishing efforts did Britain make to carry oji the Y’ir f 

2. in what Manuel was the courage ot the English admirals shovm 

3. V\ hat important event obscured the lustre ot these victories ^ 

4. What citviimstances preceded the king’s death 1 
What wus the cause of his death ! 

6. What was his age, and how long did he reign ? 

6. What was the situation of the country at that time 1 

7, 8. W ; hat is the character of the lung as given by his friends * 

9, It). What, as given by his enemies 1 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 



A. n. 

Benedict XIII. 


Clement Xli.. 

.1738 

Benedict XIV. 

. 1740 

Clement XIII. 

. 1758 


Emperors of Germany. 

Charles VI.1711 

Charles VII.1740 

Francis Stephen.1745 

Emperors and Empresses of 
Russia. 


Peter II.1727 

Anne.1730 

John. 1740 

Elizabeth.1741 

King of France. 

Louis XV.1715 

Kings of Spam. 

Philip V. (restored'.1724 

Ferdinand VI. 1745 


Emperors of the Turks. 

A. D 


Achmet III. 1702 

Mahomet V. 1730 

Osman II. 1754 

Mustapha III.175? 


Kings of Portugal. 


John V.1707 

Joseph. 1750 


Kings of Denmark. 


Frederick IV. 1699 

Christian VI.1730 

Frederick V.1746 


Kings of Sweden. 


Frederick. 1720 

Adolphus.1750 


Kings of Prussia. 

Frederick II.. 17 f 3 

Frederick III .. 1 740 































GEORGE III. 


361 


EMINENT PERSONS. 

William Pitt, t* * ■*. Chatham, Admiral Hawke. Genera! Wolf** 
Alexander Pope. Janx)./ ’Thomson.* Dr. Young. John, lord Cautterot- 
1 tulip, earl ot Hardwick. Henry Pelham. H. lord Hyde and Corn- 
bury. Horatio, lord Walpole. Geo»ge Booth, earl of Warrington. 
. Hamilton, earl of Abercou., Au. Ac. fee. 


CHAPTER XXX 7’. 


GEORGE III. 


Born 1733. Died 1820. Began to reign 1760. Reigneo 39 years. 


SECTION I. 


Hail, monarch ! born the pledge of happier days. 

To guard our freedom and our giories raise. 

Given to the world to spread religion’s sway. 

And pour o'er many a laud the mental day. — Mickle. 


1, (October 25, 1760.) Though the health of George II. 
had been long declining, his death was totally unexpected, 
and the ministry, being unprepared for such an event felt 
not a little embarrassed when they first waited on tneir new 
sovereign. George III., who succeeded, was the son of 
Frederick, prince of Wales, and Augusta, princess of Saxe- 
Gotha. In consequence of the premature death of his 

* The encouragement given to literary exertion during the reign of 
queen Anrie, was altogether withdrawn by her successors. Pope and 
Swift, indeed, still continued to be patronized by their former triends, 
but rising merit was entirely neglected. Frederick, prince of Wales, 
dv.n ig his brief career, was an ostentatious rather titan a generous patron 
of It tters ; but after his death, even the semblance ol encouragement wag 
laid aside. The ministry had even the incredible meanness to deprive 
poor Thompson of' a miserable pittance settled on him by Frederick. 
After enduring great distress, this poet at length obtained a small place, 
through the interest of lord Lyttleton, but he did not live to enjov its 
advantages: to the disgrace of the nation and its rulers, he died in diffi 
Cullies and debt. 






3f>2 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


father, who died without ascending the throne, his eduoaticn 
had devolved upon his mother, by whom he was brought up 
in the strictest privacy. She had unfortunately quarrelled 
with the late king, and the prince, though now in his twenty- 
second year, had been consequently such a stranger to the 
court of his grandfather, that he was unacquainted even with 
the persons of the ministers. 2. His first address to the 
council was gracious and conciliatory : the only remarkable 
occurrence that distinguished the opening of the new reign 
was the elevation of the earl of Bute to the office of privy 
counsellor. 3. 'The parliament was assembled in Novem- 
ner, and the king’s first speech gave universal satisfaction 
to the country. The civil list was fixed at the annual sum 
of 800,000/. ; and liberal supplies were voted for the main¬ 
tenance of the war in which the country was engaged 
The king, in return for this instance of affection on the part 
of the people, assented to a bill for further securing the inde¬ 
pendence of the judges, by providing that their offices should 
not be vacated on the demise of the crown. 

4. (A.l). 1701.) The act of settlement prohibiting the 
sovereigns of Britain from intermarrying with Roman Ca¬ 
tholics, his majesty was precluded from seeking a consort in 
the great families of Europe ; he therefore selected as his 
bride a daughter of the house of Mecklenburgb Strelitz, a 
small principality in the north of Germany ; the marriage 
was celebrated on the 8th of September, and on the 22d of 
the same month the ceremony of the coronation was per¬ 
formed with great pomp and magnificence. 

5. The war which had been carried on with great spirit 
and success under the auspices of Mr. Pitt, continued to be 
supported with unabated vigour; prince Ferdinand, at the 
head of the allies, pursued his victorious career in Germany, 
and Belleisle was captured by a British force under the 
command of admiral Keppel and general Hodgson. The 
French court, terrified at these losses, made an abortive at¬ 
tempt to obtain peace, but having failed in this, a successful 
application for assistance was made to the king of Spain, 
and a secret treaty, called the Family Compact, was made 
between the two powers. 6. This transaction, though 
carefully concealed, did not escape the penetration of Mr. 
Pitt; he warned Ilia colleagues of the insidious designs of 
Spain, and urged them to send out a fleet to intercept the 
Spanish fiota, or strike some othor decisive blow before the 
hostile projects of that court were ripe for execution. This 


GEORGE III. 


383 


proposal was very coolly received by ihe other members of 
the cabinet ; they were not in possession of all the informa¬ 
tion which their colleague had obtained, and they were 
besides jealous of the influence which Mr. Pitt’s su| enor 
popularity conferred. The project was finally rejected, and 
Mr. P itt immediately resigned. As a mark of gratitude, 
however, for his eminent public services, a pension of 
3000/. a year was settled on him for three lives, and his 
wife was created baroness Chatham. 

7. Pile retirement of this popular minister was generally 
attributed to the secret influence of the earl of Bute, who 
was supposed to have obtained* complete ascendency over 
the mind of his royal master. 'Phis suspicion created ge¬ 
neral dispVeasure among the people ; on the lord mayor’s 
day, when lus majesty and suite proceeded to dine in the 
city, the king and queen were received with coldness and 
silence, the earl of [lute was grossly insulted, but Mr. Pitt 
was welcomed with the loudest acclamations 

8. In a few months the wisdom of Mr. Pitt’s anticipa 
lions was fully established ; the hostile designs of Spain 
could no longer he concealed, and when the British ambas- 
sador remonstrated, he received nothing but evasive answers, 
or flat refusals to all his demands. He was in consequence 
recalled, and in a short time after a declaration of war was 
published against Spain. 

9. A new parliament being assembled, the consideration 
of a provision for the queen, in the event of her surviving 
his majesty, was recommended from the throne. An annu¬ 
ity of 100,000/. was settled on her for life, together with 
the palace of Somerset house (afterwards exchanged for 
Buckingham house), and the lodge and lands of Richmond 
park. 

10. (A.D. 1782.) No change of importance had hitherto 
been made in the cabinet, except the appointment of the 
earl of Bute to the office of secretary of state ; hut a more 
important alteration had long been meditated, one that in¬ 
volved almost a complete revolution in the domestic policy 
of England. Since the accession of the house of Bruns¬ 
wick, the administration of public affairs had been pain 
cip.illy confided to some of the great families, by whose 
exertions that race of sovereigns had been placed upon the 
throne. Their power had been considerably strengthened 
by the suppression of the two rebellions in 1715 and 1745, 
md the twe former kings, more attached to their German 


364 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


dominions than to their British kingdoms, surrendered the 
government of these countries to their ministers without 
reluctance. The new sovereign of Britain was entirely 
free from Germai predilections ; in the court of his mother 
he had been taught to dislike the politics of his grandfather, 
and he had no longer any reason to dread dangers from the 
change, for the claims of the young pretender had long since 
sunk into total insignificance. Unfortunately, the carl of 
Bute, to whom the management of such an important change 
was confided, did not possess abilities equal to the task. 
His domestic virtues, his refined taste, and generous liberality 
had made him deservedly beloved in private life ; but his 
reserved habits, his coldness of manner, and his total igno¬ 
rance of state affairs, made his public career odious to the 
people, painful to himself, and injurious to the popularity of 
his sovereign. 

11. It was resolved to get rid of the Pelham family, 
which had been so long at the head of affairs ; the duke 
of Newcastle was made so uneasy in his situation, that he 
resigned his post as first lord of the treasury, and was suc¬ 
ceeded by the earl of Bute ; the greater part of the ministers 
imitated the duke’s example ; and even the duke of Devon¬ 
shire, whose exertions in behalf of the Hanoverian succes¬ 
sion had been rewarded by the place of lord chamberlain, 
found it necessary to resign his situation. A furious paper- 
war ensued, and party spirit, which had slept during the 
triumphant administration of Mr. Pitt, was revived, and 
raged with unparalleled fury. National prejudices contri¬ 
buted to fan the flame ; the earl of Bute was a Scotchman, 
and the old jealousy between the natives of the northern and 
southern divisions of the country was made a formidable 
engine of party hostility. 

12. The war was carried on with equal vigour and suc¬ 
cess by the new administration. The French and Spaniards 
having in vain endeavoured to detach the Portuguese from 
their alliance with England, sent an army to invade the 
country: but an English body of auxiliaries was imme¬ 
diately despatched to Portugal, and the progress of the in¬ 
vaders was soon checked. At first, indeed, the bigoted 
Portuguese refused to unite cordially with their heretical 
allies; but when count de la Lippe was appointed to the 
command of their armies, he entered cordially into the views 
of the English general, and the Spaniards were defeated in 
two decisive engagements. Spain suffered still more se- 


OF.OKGF, HI. 


305 

verc 1 ^ in other quarters of the globe; TTavai.nah, with 
plunder to the amount of three millions sterling, was taken 
by the earl ol Albemarle and admiral Porocke; the city 
of Manilla surrendered to general Draper and admiral ('em. 
iah ; it was ransomed for the stipulated sum of one million 
bnt the Spaniards violated their engagements, and the ran* 
com was never paid. Two valuable treasure ships, con¬ 
tinuing property t: the amount of two millions sterling 
w<*re about the same time raptured by British cruisers. 
(August 12, 1702.) While the wagons that con eyed the 
treasure taken from the Spanish vessels to the Tower were 
passing in front of the palace, the cannon in the park an 
noimeed the birth ol a prinee of Wales, and this coincidence 
not a little increased the public joy at this happy event. 

1 6. Wbile the arms of England were thus triumphant in 
various quarters of the globe, the king of Prussia, her prin¬ 
cipal, and, indeed, her almost only ally, after a series of 
brilliant exploits, which have immortalized hi.s name, seamed 
to have been brought to the very brink of ruin bv the junc¬ 
tion oi the Russians with his inveterate enemies. At the 
very moment, however, that his destruction seemed certain, 
lie was rescued by one of those sudden revolutions which 
bailie all human calculation. Elizabeth, empress of Russia, 
dying, was succeeded by her nephew, Peter III., who was 
an enthusiastic admirer of the Prussian king; he not only 
concluded a peace with Frederick, hut even joined his arms 
to those of that monarch, and began to act hoslilclv against 
his former allies. Peter was, however, soon dethroned by 
his subjects; Catharine II., his consort, then became em 
press of Russia; she withdrew her forces from those of the 
king of Prussia, and resolved to maintain a strict neutrality. 
Frederic was not slow in availing himself of these favour¬ 
able circumstances, and soon amply retrieved his former 
losses. 

14. All parties were now seriously' anxious for the resto¬ 
ration of peace. France was deprived of her colonial pos¬ 
sessions, and saw her commerce on the brink of ruin; Spain 
had suffered still more severely ; the Austrians and Prus¬ 
sians were wearied of campaigns, which left the armies at 
their close nearly in the same situation they occupied at the 
commencement; and England, notwithstanding her triumphs, 
felt that a continuation of such exertions would soon ex- 
naust her resources. The seven years’ war was terminated 
by a general peace, bv which England was permitted to rt*- 

2 it 2 


tain Canada and several other conquests, receiving also from 
Spain, Florida, in exchange for the llavamiah. 15. 'Though 
the terms of the peace were very favourable to the interests 
of the English, yet the nation, intoxicated by success, re¬ 
gretted the termination of the war. The articles had been 
signed several months before the city of London could be 
prevailed upon to present a tardy and reluctant address of 
congratulation ; and on the day of its presentation, the lord- 
mayor (Beckford) refused to attend, and the bells of the 
different churches rung muffled peals during the procession 


Questions for Examination. 

1. By whom was George II. succeeded ? 

2. Did any thing remarkable occur at the first meeting of the privy council 

3 What proceedings took place in parliament ? 

4 To whom did George III. unite himself in marriage? 

5 Did any circumstances tend to show hostile dispositions in the Spanish 

court ? 

6. Under what circumstances did Mr. Pitt resign his office? 

7. What were the consequences of his resignation ? 

8. Were Mr. Pitt’s suspicions of the Spanish court well founded? 

9. What dowry was settled on the queen ? 

10. What great change took place in the administration ? 

11. Did any evil consequences result from the change of ministry'? 

12. How was the war conducted? what triumphs did the English obtain ? 

13. By what means was the king of Prussia rescued from his difficulties? 

14. Why were all parties anxious to terminate the war ? 

15. Was the peace popular in England ? 


SECTION II. 

Like fmnnue emitted from Vesuvius’ top, 

(Dread harbinger of the volcano’s powers,) 

8o hreuthe the fires of discontent—nor stop 
Till all around ts wrapt in burning showers.— Brown. 

1. (A.D. 1763.) Tranquillity might naturally have 
b.een expected at the conclusion of a glorious war, but this 
was prevented by the domestic dissensions which party 
spirit produced. The earl of Bute’s unpopularity still con¬ 
tinued, but. his influence was apparently unabated, for not¬ 
withstanding the most vigorous efforts of the opposition, he 
prevailed upon parliament to impose a tax upon cider 
vliich, without producing any great revenue, gave infinite 
dissatisfaction to the nation. Immediately after this triumph, 
his lordship, to the great surprise of every one, resigned his 
post and retired into private life. 2. He was succeeded by 
Mr. George Grenville. The press soon teemed with the 
most virulent libels from the partisans of the several factions 
that divided the country. In these productions the person 




GEORGE III. 


367 


of the sovereign was not always spared, until at length the 
ministry was roused by the appearance of No. 45 of the 
North Briton, a periodical paper conducted by Mr. Wilkes, 
the member for Aylesbury, in which it was stated that the 
king had uttered a deliberate falsehood in his speech to par¬ 
liament. This was an offence which could not be passed 
over, and a general warrant was issued for the arrest of the 
author, printers, and publishers of that paper. Mr. Wilkes 
was arrested and sent to the Tower ; several innocent per¬ 
sons were taken into custody, and the ministry found that 
in their eagerness to punish a delinquent, they had unfortu¬ 
nately raised a great constitutional question, which must of 
necessity be decided against them. 

3. The printers taken up under the warrant, brought 
actions against the messengers by whom they had been 
arrested, and recovered heavy damages. Mr. Wilkes also 
having been brought by habeas corpus before the court of 
common pleas, was liberated, the judges being unanimously 
of opinion, that privilege of parliament extended to the case 
of writing a libel. The house of commons gave a different 
decision. They voted that No. 45 of the North Briton 
was a false, scandalous, and seditious libel, and that the 
author of such was not protected by privilege of parliament. 
Soon after, Mr. Wilkes fought a duel with Mr. Martin, 
whom he had libelled, and was severely wounded ; he had 
scarcely recovered from its effects when he thought fit to 
retire to France. (A. D. 1764.) During his absence, he was 
expelled the house of commons, and driven to an outlawry 
in the court of king’s bench for not appearing to stand his 
trial. The only advantage that resulted from this struggle, 
was the declaration of the illegality of general warrants by 
a resolution of both houses of parliament. 

4. (A. D. 1765.) The immense expenditure incurred 
during the late war had involved the country in considerable 
difficulties, and it was considered only just that the Ame¬ 
rican colonies, whose interests had been most regarded in 
the treaty of peace, should bear their proportion of the 
public burdens; accordingly, a bill for imposing stamp 
duties on all mercantile transactions in the colonies was in¬ 
troduced by Mr. Grenville, and passed into a law with but 
little opposition. The Americans had been for some time 
previously very indignant at the treatment they had received 
from the mother-country; their profitable trade with the 
Spanish colonies had been destroyed by new fiseal regula- 


3(19 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


tio is • the Indians had harassed their back settlements, and 
no royal forces were sent to check the progress of the bar* 
barians; when, therefore, news arrived that -axes were 
about to be imposed on the colonies by a parliament irt 
which they were not represented, public indignation knew 
no bounds, and the colonial legislatures sent remonstrances 
couched in very strong language to the parliament and the 
throne. 5. The progress of these dissensions was, however, 
arrested by the downfall of the Grenville administration 
the minister having omitted the name of the king’s mother 
m the bill for providing a council of regency in case of any 
emergency, so displeased his majesty, that he was compelled 
to send in his resignation. A new ministry was formed, 
principally by the exertions of the duke ol Cumberland, at 
the head of which was placed the marquis of Rockingham, 
a nobleman conspicuous for his public and private virtues, 
but not distinguished by super-eminent abilities. 

6. (A. 1). 17(56.) The chief business of the new ministry 
was to undo all that their predecessors had done ; the stamp 
act. which had excited so much dissatisfaction in America, 
and the cider tax, which was equally unpopular in England, 
were both repealed, and these judicious measures were fol¬ 
lowed by a brief interval of tranquillity.* 

7. (A. f). 17(57.) The Rockingham administration was 
so weakened by the death of the duke of Cumberland, that 
it was broken up, and a new cabinet formed under the aus¬ 
pices of Mr. Pitt, who was created earl of Chatham, and 
the duke of Grafion was placed at its head, as first lord of 
the treasury. The attention of government was first directed 
to the affairs of the East India company, which had been 
thrown into confusion by the avarice and rapacity of theii 
servants. Lord ('live was sent out to India, with full powers 
to remedy these evils, and under his administration the com¬ 
pany soon recovered its former prosperity, and laid the 
foundations of future greatness. 8. The unfortunate design 
of taxing America was again revived; an act was passed 
for granting duties on ali glass, paper, painters’ colours, and 
tea imported into the British colonies; which the Americans 
resisted by petitions, remonstrances, and agreements not to 
use British manufactures until the obnoxious duties were 
repealed An act was also passed enjoining the colonies to 
provide his majesty’s troops with necessaries in their quar¬ 
ters ; the colonial house of assembly, in the state of New 
York, peremptorily refused obedience, and another act was 

* J'lit old Pretendei died at Rome in tins year, at the a»e ot 76. 


GEORGE III. 


369 


passed restraining the assembly from making laws until 
they had complied with the terms of the former statute. 

9. (A. D. 1768.) The natural date of the parliament 
having nearly expired, it was dissolved, and writs issued 
for the election of a new one. Wilkes embraced the op¬ 
portunity of returning from exile which a change of minis¬ 
try afforded ; he offered himself a candidate for Middlesex, 
and was elected by an overwhelming majority. lie then 
surrendered himself to the court of king’s bench, and pro¬ 
cured the reversal of his outlawry ; he was, however, sen¬ 
tenced to pay a tine of a thousand pounds, and to be im 
prisoned for twenty-two months. As he was esteemed a 
martyr in the cause of liberty, a subscription was opened 
for paying his fine, supporting him while in prison, und 
compounding his debts, winch amounted to more than 
twenty thousand pounds. 10. The disturbances in America 
still continued to increase, and the states of New England 
were particularly remarkable for their determined hostility 
to the new duties. Descended from the puritans and re¬ 
publicans, who had left England after the restoration of 
Charles 11., and sought in the wilds of America the liberty 
of conscience denied to them at home, the New Englanders 
possessed in no ordinary degree the spirit of independence, 
and the obstinate resolution which had characterized the 
soldiers of Fairfax and Cromwell. In Boston the commis¬ 
sioners of customs were so severely handled, that they were 
forced to take refuge from the fury of the populace in fort 
William ; and to preserve the peace of the town, it was 
deemed necessary to send thither two regiments of foot 
from Halifax, and as many from Ireland. 

11. The situation of Ireland began also to give the 
minister considerable uneasiness ; by Poyning’s law, passed 
in the reign of Henry VII., and extended by several sub¬ 
sequent statutes, the legislature of that country had been 
made so completely dependent on the British government, 
that it was become a mere nullity. An unwise and unjust 
spirit of commercial jealousy induced the English to abuse 
the advantages which they had obtained, and several im 
politic restrictions were imposed on Irish commerce and 
manufactures. These measures produced little or no ad¬ 
vantage to the English, while they crushed the rising ener¬ 
gies of the sister kingdom ; but they were obstinately main¬ 
tained, for the age was not yet sufficiently enlightened to 
discover that the prosperity of one country was intimately 


370 


H1STOUY OF ENGLAND. 


connected with that of the other. A strong party had 
however, been formed in Ireland to achieve the legislative 
independence of their country, and they gained no small part 
of their object, by the passing of the octennial act, which 
limited the duration of Irish parliaments to eight years, for 
they had been previously dissolved only on the demise ol 
the crown. 

12. In the East Indies, the English were assailed by an 
enemy more formidable than any they had hitherto met in 
that quarter. Hyder Ally, who had raised himself from the 
rank of a common sepoy to that of a sovereign prince, com¬ 
menced hostilities against the company’s settlements, and 
for several years kept them in a state of incessant alarm. 

13. When the new parliament met, the people imagined 
that Mr. Wilkes would be liberated to take his seat, and 
therefore, assembled in great numbers in St. George's fields, 
round the king’s bench prison, in order to conduct him to 
the house of commons. The Surry justices took the alarm 
and read the riot act, but the multitude refusing to disperse, 
the military were called out, and unfortunately ordered to 
fire. One man was killed on the spot, and a great number 
were wounded, several mortally. It happened that a Scotch 
regiment had been employed in this lamentable affair, a 
circumstance which not a little increased the public indig¬ 
nation. Verdicts of wilful murder against the soldierv 
were returned by the different inquests, and on the sub¬ 
sequent trials several of the soldiers were found guilty of 
murder. 

14. The government by no means participated in the 
popular feeling; not only were pardons granted to those 
who had been convicted, but the secretary of state, loru 
Weymouth, sent a letter to the justices thanking them for 
their spirited conduct. This document was published by Mr. 
Wilkes, with an indignant commentary, in which he termed 
tne atfair “ a horrid massacre,” and added a virulent invec¬ 
tive against the entire conduct of the government. 15. For 
this publication Mr. Wilkes was expelled the house of com¬ 
mons, and with strange inconsistency, the causes assigned 
for his expulsion included not only his late offence, but the 
former acts for which he had already atoned by undergoing 
judicial punishment. This complication of charge alforded 
just grounds of complaint, and not a little tended to give 
Wi Ikes a decided superiority over his opponents. (A. I). 
PGli ) The freeholders unanimously re-elected him, buf 


GEORGE III. 


371 


(he house considered the election void, and issued a ne\tf 
writ. The same proceedings were twice repeated : until al 
length colonel Luttrell was prevailed upon to oiler himself 
as candidate. Wilkes was once more returned by an nn 
tnense majority, the votes for him being 1143, while those 
lor ms opponent amounted only to 209 ; the house of com¬ 
mons, notwithstanding, declared that Luttrell was and ought 
to be the silling member. 

16. This was considered, with some show of justice, a 
fatal blow to the liberties of the subject; petitions and re¬ 
monstrances of the most daring nature poured in from all 
parts of the kingdom ; the press teemed with the most 
virulent attacks on all the constituted authorities, some went 
so far as to deny the legality of the present parliament, and 
the obligation of the people to obey its law's. An anonymous 
writer, named Junius, was particularly distinguished by the 
fierce severity of his attacks on the ministry, and by the 
superior brilliancy of his style, which still preserves his 
celebrated letters from the oblivion into which party pro¬ 
ductions usually fall. Meantime the disputes with the 
colonists continued to be maintained with unabated zeal; 
and ihe Irish parliament showed such a determination to 
throw off the yoke, that it was found necessary to elude their 
demands by a prorogation. 


Qxiestions for Examination. 

1. Ilow was the tranquillity of the country disturbed ? 

2. What circumstances took place respecting i\o. 45 of the North Briton ? 

3. How did the affair terminate ? 

4. What circumstances led to disunion between England and the American 

colonies ? 

5 How was the Grenville ministry overthrown? 

6. By what means was tranquillity restored ? 

7 What was the first measure of the Grafton administration ? 

8 By w hat act was the discontent of the Americans revived ? 

9 How did Wilkes behave on the change of ministry ? 

10. In what manner did the Americans conduct themselves? 

11 Was any important change made in the Irish legislature? 

12 Did any new power appear m the East Indies? 

13 What unfortunate event took place in St. George’s fields? 

14. How was Wilkes involved it. a new contest with government? 

[5 What was the decision of the house of commons respecting the Middlese 
election ? 

if '‘‘id tlus decision produce any unpleasant results ? 




372 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


SECTION III. 

No self-subjecting force of soul is theirs. 

Tout public toil us noblest honour bears.— Sterling. 

1. (A.D. 1770.) The health of the earl of Chatham had 
been long in such a state as to prevent him from exerting 
his energies for the benefit of his country; he hail the 
mortification to find that his influence was lost in the 
cabinet, and his popularity forgotten by the nation; he 
therefore resigned his office, and his example was imitated 
by the duke of Grafton. Lord North succeeded the latter 
as first lord of the treasury, and some trifling changes 
were made in the inferior departments of government 

2. Foreign nations seemed to have lost all respect for a 
country whose councils were subject to such sudden vicis¬ 
situdes, and the subjects of the realm were no longer 
willing to pay that respect to the laws which is necessary 
to the well-being of a state. The new ministry seemed ill 
calculated to retrieve the honour of the country ; they per 
mitted France to acquire the island of Corsica without ven¬ 
turing to interfere, and tamely submitted to an insult offered 
by Spain to the British flag in the affair of the Falkland 
islands. The spirit of the nation however forced the 
ministry to make some exertions in the latter instance, and 
the matter was finally adjusted by a convention. 

3. (A.D. 1771.) The debates in parliament had beep 
hitherto printed surreptitiously, as their publication was 
deemed a breach of privilege. The interest felt by the 
public in the debates on the Middlesex election induced 
the printers to act more daringly than before, and at length 
a formal complaint was made in the house, and a messenger 
was sent into the city to arrest the most notorious of the 
offenders. One printer having been seized by the mes¬ 
senger, sent for a constable, who carried both before the 
lord mayor Mr. Crosby. That gentleman, with the aider- 
men Wilkes and Oliver, not only discharged the printer, 
but threatened to send the messenger to prison unless he 
found bail to answer for his appearance on a charge of 
Illegal arrest. The house of commons received the news 
of these proceedings with the most violent ndignation ; the 
lord mayor and Oliver were sent to the Tower, and Wilkes 
was summoned to appear at the bar of the house. But an 
unexpected difficulty was soon raised; Wilkes refused to 
appear unless permitted to take his place for Middlesex. 


GEOROE III 


373 


And ilie house at length compromised its dignity, by ordering 
him to attend on the 8th of April, and then adjourning to the 
9th. Since this event no attempt has been made to check 
the publication of the parliamentary debates, which now 
constitute the most important, as well as the most interesting, 
feature in the periodical press. 

4 . (A. D. 1772.) The marriage of the king’s brothers, 
the dukes of Cumberland and Gloucester, with subjects of 
the realm, led to the enactment of the royal marriage act, 
which prohibited any of the descendants of George II 
from marrying before the age of twenty-five without the 
consent of the king in council. An act was also passed to 
abrogate the law by which felons, who refused to plead, 
were pressed to death; it was enacted that, for the future, 
those who did not plead should be held guiitv of the crimes 
laid to their charge. 

5. The continent of Europe was the scene of an atrocious 
act of injustice committed by three crowned heads ; the first 
dismemberment of Poland was effected by an iniquitous 
confederacy between the emperor of Germany, the empress 
of Russia, and the king of Prussia; they left the unfor¬ 
tunate monarch of the country little more than a nominal 
sovereignty, and even of this he was subsequently deprived 
by the royal robbers, and the name of Poland blotted from 
the list of nations. 6. About the same time the king of 
Sweden, in violation of ihe most solemn obligations, abro¬ 
gated the free constitution of his country, and made himself 
despotic. 7. In Denmark, on the other hand, the royal 
power was overthrown by a vile faction, who deprived the 
king of his authority, murdered his ministers, and drove his 
queen, Matilda, sister to the king of England, into exile, 
where grief soon terminated her sufferings. 

8. 'Phe planters in the island of St. Vincent had grossly 
dl-treated the Caribbs, or native inhabitants, who had been 
allowed to possess their lands in quiet while the colony 
remained under the dominion of the French. A civil war 
ensued, and the planters, notwithstanding all their advan¬ 
tages, were worsted ; application for assistance against the 
rebellious savages, as they thought fit to designate inec 
who refused to submit tamely to open robbery, was mado 
to the British parliament; but the opposition was so strong, 
trut the advocates of the planters were forced to yield, and 
peace was subsequently restored on equitable conditions. 

9 ( \. D 1773.) Ireland and Scotland were, about this 

21 


371 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


time, drained of a large portion of their peasantry, driven to 
emigration by the cruel rapacity of the landlords ; the exiles 
sought an asylum in America, and supplied that country, 
at the moment it was about to commence its great struggle 
for independence, with a hardy population, animated by the 
most bitter feelings of resentment against the country winch 
they had been forced to abandon. 

10. 'I’lie voyages of discovery undertaken during the 
arlv part of this reign were very creditable to the adminis¬ 
tration by which they were sent out. Captain Phipps 
made an ineffectual effort to discover a north-west passage 
to the East Indies ; Byron, Wallis, Carteret, and Cook suc¬ 
cessively navigated the globe, and discovered several new 
islands in the Pacific Ocean. The last named navigator was 
killed during his third voyage at Owhyhee, in an unfortu¬ 
nate dispute with the natives. 

11. The determination of the Americans to use no 
articles on which a duty was levied by the British parlia¬ 
ment was still obstinately maintained, and the presence of 
the British troops in Boston kept alive those feelings of ani¬ 
mosity which more conciliatory conduct might have extin¬ 
guished. In resisting a violent act of aggression, a party 
of the military were compelled to fire on the populace, of 
whom three were killed and five dangerously wounded. 
The townsmen assembled on the following night, and were 
with much difficulty prevented from proceeding to extremi¬ 
ties ; but on the day that the unfortunate victims were in¬ 
terred, most of the shops in Boston were closed, the bells of 
all the churches in the vown and neighbourhood rung 
muffled peals ; and the funerals were escorted by all the 
citizens, of every rank, in mournful procession. Captain 
Preston, who had commanded the party, was tried for mur¬ 
der, and it is highly creditable to the American character, 
that his defence was intrusted to Adams and Quincy, the 
most violent advocates of freedom ; and that a jury com¬ 
posed of townsmen acquitted the prisoner without hesitation 

12. These proceedings were naturally considered by the 
provincial governors as strong evidences of a rebellious 
spirit, and in themselves almost acts of treason ; thev con¬ 
sequently, in their public and private letters, described them 
in no measured terms. Mr. Hutchinson, the governor of 
Massachusetts, and his lieutenant, Mr. Oliver, had written 
several letters, in which they severely condemned tht 
4inerican leaders, called for the adoption of the most vigor 


OF.ORGE III. 


375 


Oils measures, and ev<-n recommended the “ taking off’* ot 
t.ie most active opponents of government. Of these letter^ 
Dr. Franklin obtained possession, and he immediately laid 
them before tht provincial assembly of Massachusetts 
Fhe perusal of these documents excited violent indignation ; 
it was unanimously resolved, “ that the tendency of the 
said letters was to overthrow the constitution of this govern* 
ment, and to introduce arbitrary power into the province: 
and it was further voted, “ that a petition should be imine* 
diately sent to the king, to remove Hutchinson and Oliver 
for ever from the government of the province.” The peti¬ 
tion was immediately transmitted, and Franklin came over 
to England to support it in person before the privy council. 

13. (A.I). 1774.) On the day appointed for hearing the 
petition, Mr. Wedderburne, the solicitor-general, appeared 
on behalf of the governor, and assailed Franklin for the 
treachery of publishing a private correspondence, in one of 
the most elaborate invectives ever uttered. Less fervid elo 
quence would have been sufficient to sway the determination 
of the council ; the petition was declared to be scandalous 
and vexatious, and Franklin was dismissed from the office 
which he held of postmaster-general of the colonies. 

14. The refusal of the Americans to purchase tea had 
led to a vast accumulation of that article in the storehouses 
of the East. India company; in order to afford them some 
relief, a drawback of the import duty was allowed them on 
all tea that should be exported ; and the ministry believed 
that the colonists would gladly pay the small tax of three 
pence per pound on an article which they could only pro¬ 
cure by smuggling, and at an enormous expense. Hut those 
who had formed such expectations had sadly miscalculated 
the spirit and firmness of the Americans ; resolutions were 
adopted in the several provinces, declaring that all who aided 
or abetted in '.ie landing or vending of the expected tea, 
should be deemed enemies of their country ; and the majo¬ 
rity of the consignees, terrified at these proceedings, sen! 
back the cargoes. In Boston, the agents of the company 
were dependants on the governor, and trusting to the pro¬ 
tection ot the military, resolved to persevere : but during the 
night the leading patriots, disguised as Indians, boarded the 
vessels, and emptied the tea-chests into the water. 

15. 'Fhe news of this proceeding was received by the 
British ministry with unmixed pleasure ; they thought *hat 
Boston the great focus of American sedition, having been 


3(6 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


guilty of a flagrant delinquency, was now completely at their 
mercy, and they prepared to visit it with exemplary punish 
ineiit. A hill for shutting up the port ol Boston, and another 
for annulling the charter of Massachusetts, were passed with 
little opposition ; and these harsh measures were soon fol¬ 
lowed hy a third, of a still more dangerous tendency ; if 
enacted, that “if any person were indicted for murder )) 
any capital offence, committed in the province of Massachu¬ 
setts, in aiding the magistracy, such person or persons nrght 
be sent by the governor to some other colony or to Great 
Britain for trial.” It was in vain that colonel Barre, and 
some others, showed that this measure directly tended to 
sanction military outrage by the hope of impunity ; it passed 
through both houses with overwhelming majorities, and im¬ 
mediately received the royal assent. 

16. Nothing could exceed the burst of indignation with 
which the first intelligence of these harsh measures was re¬ 
ceived in the New England states. They sternly refused 
to obey laws which deprived them of their natural and 
chartered rights, and made active preparations to resist their 
enforcement. All the other colonies, except Georgia, zeal¬ 
ously adopted the cause of the people of Massachusetts, and 
agreed to discontinue their commerce with Great Britain until 
the obnoxious statutes should be repealed. To give greatei 
effect to their remonstrances, an assembly of delegates from 
the different states was organized by Franklin and other 
provincial leaders, which, under the name of a congress 
met in Philadelphia. 'The congress promised every assist 
ance to the New Englanders, and prepared a spirited peti¬ 
tion to be laid before his- majesty, soliciting a redrecs of 
grievances. They also published addresses to the British 
people, to the Canadians, and to the West Indian colonies 
vindicating the purity of their motives, and declaring their 
fixed resolution not to submit to oppression. 


Questions for Laamination 

1 Were any changes made in the ministry? 

2 Did artv remarkable events occur abroad ? 

3 By what train of events was the right of printing the parliamentary de¬ 

bates established ? 

4. What remarkable acts of parliament were passed ? 
ft Did any of the European powers combine to ruin Poland 

6 What revolution took place in Sweden ? 

7 Did any thing remarkable occur in Denmark? 

8 What were the circumstances of the Caribb war ? 

4 On what account did emigration to America increase! 



GEORGE III. 


377 


l r '. Wore any remarkable vovaeres of discovery undertaken 
[I u ,1a * mili,ar y outrage created a great sensation in Boston ? 

U Hmv was ihe assembly of Massachusetts placed in open hostility to its 
governor? 

How was the Massachusetts remonstrance treated by the privy council 
Mow did the Americans treat the tea exported from Kngland ? 

\V liat vindictive measures were sanctioned by the British parliament 4 
How did the Americans act in consequence ? 


1.1 

A 

15 

IG 


SECTION IV. 

The hostile storms tint rage awhile, 

And the Hied contest ends j 
Rut uli how hard to reconcile 
Tlie toes who once were friends.— Whitehead. 

1. (A.T). 1775.) An opportunity of retracting-their steps 
was afforded to the British ministers by the presentation of 
the petition from the congress at Philadelphia; especially as 
a new parliament had been summoned in the room of that 
which had sanctioned the late severe measures of coercion. 
It was reported that his majesty had received the petition 
most graciously, and the public consequently indulged in 
expectations of a reconciliation between the colonies and the 
mother country. These hopes were destined to he disap¬ 
pointed; the houses of parliament, in their address to die 
king at the opening of the session, stated that “ a rebellion 
actually existed in the province of Massachusetts,” and in 
the usual style offered to assist in its suppression with their 
lives and fortunes. A few members, justly anxious to avert 
the hazards of war, laboured hard to change the determina¬ 
tions of the minister; in particular Mr. Burke proposed a 
plan for conciliating America, in a speech of unrivalled elo¬ 
quence ; these efforts were vain, and nothing now remained 
but an appeal to the sword. Franklin also, having been 
long employed in a kind of treaty with the ministers, finding 
them determined to persevere in their insane resolutions, 
oroke off the conference, and sailed for America, resolved to 
share the fortunes and hazards of 1 1 is fellow-citizens. 

2. The New Englanders were determined to attack the 
royal forces as soon as ever they should march out of Bos¬ 
ton and their adherence to this resolution was soon put to 
the test. On the night of the eighteenth of April, a detach 
inent was sent from Boston to seize some military stores, 
w hich the insurgents had collected at Concord. In spite of 
evei v precaution, toe country was alarmed, and when the 
advanced guard arrived early on the following morning at 
Lexington they found a small body of provincials prepared 



878 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


to oppose them. A brief skirmish ensued, in which the 
Americans were defeated with some loss, and the detach¬ 
ment, proceeding to Concord, destroyed all the stores that 
they found. But they were not permitted to return unmo¬ 
lested ; the militia, assembling in force, furiously assailed 
their flanks and rear ; a constant fire of rifles was maintained 
from every hedge and every wall which skirted the road, 
and had not a regiment under the command of lord Percy 
been sent from Boston to cover their retreat, the entire de¬ 
tachment would have been destroyed. It was late in the 
evening when the Briiish forces arrived at last within the 
lines of their own fortifications, having lost 65 killed, 180 
wounded, and 28 prisoners. 

3. Blood having been thus drawn, the whole of the dis¬ 
contented colonies boldly prepared to maintain the inevita¬ 
ble contest. Volunteers enrolled themselves in every pro¬ 
vince, and the king’s stores were everywhere seized and 
appropriated to the use of the insurgents. The fortress of 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point were surprised by a body of 
militia, and the Americans thus obtained possession of 100 
piecesof cannon and a proportionate quantity of ammunition. 
The towns and villages in the neighbourhood of Boston were 
garrisoned, and that city thus placed under a strict 
blockade. 

4. General Gage, who commanded the garrison, soon re 
ceived reinforcements from Great Britain, under the com 
mand of generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton. He resolved 
therefore to commence active operations ; but before com¬ 
mitting himself to the chances of war, he issued a procla¬ 
mation, offering pardon to all who should lay down their 
arms, except {Messrs. Hancock and Adams. The Americans 
treated the proclamation with contempt, and soon after 
elected Mr. Hancock president of congress. 

5. In Charlestown, a place situated to the north of Boston, 
is an eminence called Bunker’s hill, which in some degree 
commands the harbour; this post the Americans resolved to 
occupy; and a party was sent over from Cambridge to in¬ 
trench themselves on the height. This they effected with 
such rapidity and silence during one of the short nights of 
June, that the appearance of their works at daybreak was 
die first notice of their presence. The importance of dis¬ 
lodging the enemy was evident to the British generals, and 
a detachment under the command of Howe was sent to the 
ocniusula in boats. A tremendous cannonade was epened 


GEORGE III. 


379 


on the provincials from the ships and floating batteries in the 
harbour, and from Cop’s-hill in Boston, hut the provincials 
maintained their post with undaunted resolution. They re¬ 
served their fire until the royal forces had advanced within 
sixty yards of their line, and then poured in so* close and 
murderous a discharge, that the assailants were broken, and 
fled to the water’s edge. A second assault was again de¬ 
feated hv the well-aimed and steady fire of the provincials; 
hut when Howe rallied his men to the third attempt, the 
ammunition of the Americans began to fail, and after an ob¬ 
stinate resistance they were compelled to retreat. In this 
fierce contest the provincials lost about 450 killed, wounded, 
and missing; but the victors suffered still more severely; 
their loss amounted to more than a thousand killed and 
wounded, of whom 70 were officers. The. unusual number 
of officers that fell is attributed to the fatal aim which the 
provincials took with their rifles, and to the belief generally 
prevalent in America, that the war was odious to the great 
body of the English people, and only supported by the no¬ 
bility and gentry, from which classes the British officers are 
generally selected. 

6. Another effort to avert the horrors of war was made 
by the congress, and a second pathetic petition forwarded 
to his majesty. It was intrusted for presentation to Mr. 
Penn, a descendant of the great founder of Pennsylvania, and 
one of the chief proprietors in that province. But public 
and private remonstrances were equally ineffectual, the peti¬ 
tion was not even honoured with an answer. 

7. The Americans were far from confining their exertions 
to the pacific means of petition and remonstrance ; with a 
happy unanimity, they elected George Washington, esquire, 
ntommander-in-chief of all their forces ; and sent two bodies 
of militia under generals Montgomery and Arnold to drive 
the English from Canada. After a brief but brilliant career, 
Montgomery was killed in an attempt to storm Quebec, and 
the cruelties perpetrated by the infamous Arnold so alien¬ 
ated the Canadians, that no hope remained of its uniting 
with the revolted provinces. 

8. (A.I). 1776.) Boston was closely blockaded by Wash 
ington, and the garrison was soon reduced to the greatest 
distress. Howe, who had succeeded Gage in the command, 
though a general of great ability, found himself unequal to 
the difficulties of his situation. The inhabitants of Boston, 
as well as the garrison, had to sustain the horrors of famine 


380 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


during the winter; and earlv in the spring the Americans 
opened batteries on the neighbouring hills, which swept the 
town and harbour. Under these circumstances, the town 
was evacuated by the English, and Washington, entering it. 
Was hailed by the citizens as their deliverer. 0. An expe¬ 
dition undertaken by the British against Charleston, in 
South Carolina, signally failed. The general (Clinton) was 
linahle to second the naval operations directed by sir Petei 
Parker ; and, after a useless exhibition of bravery, the ad 
miral was forced to retire with the loss of a ship of war, 
which he burned, to prevent its falling into the hands of the 
enemy. 

10. The Americans, and the greater part of their leaders, 
had hitherto entertained hopes of peacefully accommodating 
their disputes with England ; but the intelligence that, the 
British minister had hired a body of German mercenaries 
for their subjugation wrought so powerfully on their excited 
feelings, that they determined to renounce their allegiance. 
(July 4th, 1770.) On the motion of Richard Henry Lee, 
member for Virginia, the congress published their declara¬ 
tion of independence, and elected the colonies into free and 
sovereign states. At the very time that this resolution was 
adopted, a British Meet was hovering round their coast, a 
British army was preparing to invade their territories, and 
symptoms of discouragement and disaffection were percep¬ 
tible in their own soldiery. Still the congress refused to 
despair, and prepared to support with spirit the independ¬ 
ence which they had so courageously asserted. 

11. General Howe did not long remain idle at Halifax 
whither he had retired after the evacuation of Boston ; he 
sailed for New York, and being there joined by his brother 
lord Howe, with a considerable Heel, he made himsell mas¬ 
ter of that city and Long Island. Following up.his tri¬ 
umphs, he expelled the provincial army from the Jerseys 
and compelled them to take refuge beyond the Delaware. 
This rapid success raised the hopes of the Britisli to the 
highest pitch; the immediate conquest of America was 
looked upon as absolutely certain, and little seemetl wanting 
to complete so desirable a consummation. 12. But they 
6oon found that Washington, though defeated, was not sub 
dued, and that his knowledge of the country in a threat 
degree compensated for his inferiority of numbers. Cross¬ 
ing the Delaware in the middle of December, he attacked n 
body of Hessians at Trenton, and made bOO prisoners ; and 


GEORGE III. 


381 

then while lord Cornwallis was advancing to lecover Tren¬ 
ton, the indelatigable Americans suddenly appeared in his 
lordship's rear, and destroyed or captured the greater pari 
of a detachment under colonel Mawliood. 

13 A very extraordinary incident took place, about this 
lime, in the East Indies. The council of Madras had plunged 
the company into an unjustifiable war with the rajah of 
J'anjore, whom they attacked and took prisoner. Lord 
Bigot was sent out as governor, with positive orders to re¬ 
store the rajah, but he had scarcely effected this object, 
when he was seized and thrown into prison by certain 
members of the council. This indignity worked so bitterly 
cn his feelings that he sickened and died, leaving behind 
him a higher character for honour and integrity than most 
of those who have made fortunes in the East. His perse¬ 
cutors were subsequently brought to trial and punished, but 
not with severity proportioned to their deserts. 

14. (A.l). 1777.) The caution of Washington prevented 
any decisive engagement in the early part of the new cam¬ 
paign ; but the march of Howe towards Philadelphia induced 
the Amen:?,.! general to hazard a battle. The armies met 
near the Brandywine river, and after a long and fierce battle 
the English obtained a decisive victory. Philadelphia was 
immediately surrendered, and occupied by the English 
forces: a second attempt made by Washington to retrieve 
his losses was defeated ; and by the aid of the fleet, Howe 
reduced the fortifications which the Americans had con¬ 
structed on the banks of the Delaware, and opened free 
communication with his supplies. 

15. But the successes of the English in the southern states 
were more than counterbalanced by the disaster they expe¬ 
rienced in the northern. Early in the year, general Bur- 
govne, with an army of 7000 men, and a large body of 
Indians, received orders to advance from Canada into the 
state of New York, and co-operate with a body of troops 
which Howe was to send to his assistance. This plan, if 
successful, would cut off the New England states from the 
rest of the union, and expose them to be overrun and con 
qtiered in detail. Burgoyne’s part in this expedition was 
executed with equal skill and intrepidity : he marched 
boldly through the country, bearing down all opposition. 
But the Americans soon assembled an army in his front, and 
as he had advanced to a distance from his supplies, his 
situation soon became verv hazardous. The operations of the 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


*82 

army, whose assistance he expected, were miserably con 
ducted; sir Henry Clinton did not leave New York till 
October, and even then, instead of hastening forward to liis 
destination, he employed his troops in burning the unre¬ 
sisting towns and villages, and devastating the country 
Whether this tardiness is to be ascribed to the weakness of 
the general, or to the insufficiency of the orders sert out by 
the ministry, is not easily ascertained, but from whatever 
cause, it proved the ruin of the entire expedition. On the 
15th of October, general Vaughan, with the van of Clinton’s 
armv, could have rescued Burgoyne from all his difficulties, 
but Vaughan stopped to plunder and burn the little town of 
iKsopas, and before he was again prepared to advance, 
Burgoyne and his army were prisoners of war to the Ameri¬ 
can army under the command of general Cates. 

lf>. Burgoyne, depending on the advance of the armv 
from New York, had allowed himself to be cooped up in 
Saratoga ; bis provisions were exhausted, his ammunition 
beginning to fail, bis troops dispirited, and bis lines inca¬ 
pable of long defence, lie therefore surrendered on the 
condition that his troops, after having laid down their arms, 
should be sent home, provided that they should not serve 
again in America during the present contest. Burgoyna 
returned to England on his parole only to experience greater 
mortifications ; the leaders of administration threw all the 
blame of a failure, attributable solely to themselves, on the 
unfortunate general ; be was refused admittance into the 
presence of the sovereign, denied the justice of a court 
martial, and subjected to a series of petty persecutions 
infinitely more disgraceful to the ministry than to their 
victim. 17. General Gates, after his victory, advanced to 
check the outrages committed by Clinton’s soldiers; sir 
Henry retreated to New York before the victorious army 
and the American general was consequently enabled to send 
such a reinforcement to Washington’s army, as made it 
once more a match for that of Howe, and sufficient to 
protect the province of Pennsylvania from the ravages of 
he enemy 


Questions for Examination. 

1. How wore the hopes of the friends of pence disappointed ? 

2 What were the circumstances of the affair at Lexington ? 

3 Did the Americans begin the war vigorously ? 

1 How was the proclamation of general Gage treated ? 

5 What were the circumstances of the battle of Bunker’s hill 


GEORGE III 


3ft-i 

Wore any efforts made to restore peace ? 

? How »lid the invasion of Canada terminate? 
d Why was Boston evacuated by the British ? 

9 Hid the expedition against Charleston succeed ? 

10 Und .»r what circumstances did the Americans publish the declaration of 
independence 1 

IV What successes did general Howe obtain ? 

12 Was Washington dispirited by his losses? 

13 Did any remarkable circumstance occur in the East Indies? 

14 Where was Washington defeated ? 

15 What led to the surrender of Burgoyne’s army ? 

10 How was Burgoyne treated ? 

17. How did Gales use his victory? 


SECTION V. 

Shall Chaihnm die, and he forgot? Oh no! 

Winm Irmii iik M'Urce let grateful sormw flow; 

Ills matchless ardour fired each lear-struek mind. 

His genius seated when Britons droop'd and pined. — Oarrick . 

1. (A.I). 1778.) The event of which the ministers had been 
vainly warned from the commencement of the unfortunate 
contest into which they had rashly precipitated the country, 
at length took place. France acknowledged the independence 
of the United States, and entered into a close alliance with 
the revolted colonies. Before the news of this treaty could 
reach America, lord North introduced two conciliatory bills 
into the British parliament, granting the provincials every 
tiling that they had demanded before their declaration of 
independence. In the debates that ensued, the minister 
found some of his former supporters more virulent antago¬ 
nists than the opposition—they taunted him for deserting 
the high principles of prerogative and British supremacy 
which he had hitherto maintained, and complained bitterly 
of the deception by which he had gained their support. The 
bills, however, passed the lower house, but their progress 
through the upper was marked by an incident that must not 
be carelessly passed over. It was known that the duke cf 
Richmond was of opinion that peace should be purchased 
even by acknowledging the independence of America, and 
that he intended to propound these sentiments during the 
discussion. 2. The venerable earl of Chatham, sinking 
under the weight of years and bodily infirmities, attended 
in his place for the purpose of protesting against the dis¬ 
memberment of an empire to whose greatness he had so 
largely contributed, and deprecated such a proceeding with 
great warmth and eloquence. The duke of Richmond hav¬ 
ing answered this speech, the earl rose to reply, but the 
powers of nature were exhausted, he fell on the floor oi tho 



384 


HISTORY OF ENOLAN 


house in the attempt to utter his sentiments, ind bcrur 
removed to his favourite country-seat, expired in a si oil 
time after. 3. The parliament paid merited honour t<» the 
memory of the most successful and able minister that Eng 
land had hitherto produced; the sum of twenty thousand 
pounds was granted for the payment of his debts, a pens,on 
of four thousand pounds settled on his heirs ; nis remain's 
were interred with great pomp in Westminster Abbey, and 
a monument erected to his memory at the public expense. 

4. Commissioners had been sent out to propose measures 
of reconciliation to the Americans when it was too late; of 
course, their mission signally failed ; the congress would 
not even listen to terms unless the recognition of their inde¬ 
pendence formed a preliminary article, and the commis¬ 
sioners, having made an unsuccessful attempt to bribe some 
of the American deputies, were dismissed with mingled 
contempt and indignation. 

5. The first hostile collision between France and England 
took place at sea ; admiral Keppel attacked a French squad¬ 
ron under the command of D’Orvilliers, but, being badly 
supported by sir Hugh Palliser, the second in command, 
obtained no decisive success. Advantage was taken of this 
circumstance by the ministry to crush Keppel, who had 
been long their political opponent, and at their instigation 
Palliser, preferred a charge of misconduct against hi« com¬ 
mander. But the verdict of the court-martial disappointed 
their expectations; Keppel was honourably acquitted, and 
Palliser being subsequently brought to trial for disobedience 
to orders, was partially condemned, and but for the interpo¬ 
sition of the entire power of the ministry, would have been 
subjected to a more ignominious verdict.* 

6. (A.I). 1779.) The Americans, having now obtained so 
powerful an ally as France, fondly hoped that the war would 
be terminated in a single campaign. Great, therefore, was 

♦This year a hold adventurer, of the name of Paul Jones, kept all the west¬ 
ern coast of the island in alarm. He landed at Whitehaven, where he burner! 
a ship in the harbour, and even attempted to burn the town. lie afterwards 
landed in Scotland, and plundered the house of the earl of Selkirk. He some 
tune after fought a bloody battle with captain Pearson, of the Serapis, whom 
lie compelled to submit: and so shattered was his own ship in the engage¬ 
ment. that he had no sooner quitted her, in order to take possession of h/a 
prize., than she went to the bottom. Captain Farmer, too, of the Quebec, 
fought it no less desperate battle with a French ship of greatly superior force. 
Tie continued ihe engagement, with unrernitted f .ry, till his own shipacci 
benmlly took fire, and was blown into the air, together with himself and 
most of fchc crew. 


UE0RGK III 


385 


tlieir mortification to find the English superior during the 
entire year. Clinton maintained his defensive position in 
New York, and ballled all the attempts of Washington to 
force an engagement; while in the southern states, Georgia 
was subdued by colonel Campbell, aided by admiral Parker, 
and the attempts made to recover it by the American general. 
Lincoln, and the French admiral, D’Estaing, were signally 
defeated. 

7. Hut the honour of England was not similarly main 
tained in other quarters ; several islands of the West Indies 
were captured by the French ; and the united fleets of France 
and Spain, for the latter country was now united to the eno 
rnies of Britain, swept the channel, and insulted the coasts 
with impunity. Lord Sandwich, the first lord of the admi 
ralty, was a man notoriously unfit for his situation ; but his 
colleagues, with the blind obstinacy which characterized all 
their measures, determined to retain him in office ; even 
though they were aware, that by his neglect, Plymouth was 
left in such a defenceless state, that its dockyards and arsenal 
were only saved from destruction by the ignorance of the 
admirals of the combined fleet. 

8. In Ireland an important revolution commenced, which 
though it terminated bloodlessly, threatened at one period 
to have caused separation between the two countries. 
The greater part of the army necessary for the defence of 
that country had been withdrawn to assist in the subjugation 
of America ; and when the French and Spanish fleets 
menaced the island with invasion, there were no preparations 
made for its defence. The people, left to themselves, showed 
spirit worthy of the crisis; companies of volunteers were 
embodied in every town and district; arms were at first 
cheerfully supplied by the government ; officers were chosen 
by election ; and the patriotic earl of Charlemont appointed 
commander-in-chief of the independent companies. When 
England recovered her wonted superiority by sea, the fear 
of invasion was removed, but the volunteers retained their 
arms and preserved their organization. They had learned 
the secret of their strength, and were determined to eflect the 
regeneration of their country, by establishing the indepen¬ 
dence of her parliament and the freedom of her commerce 
This was a new and unexpected difficulty to the ministry ; 
but, pursuing consistently their steady course of nairow and 
illiberal policy, they refused to make any concession, and 
thus brought Ireland to the verv brink of a revolution. 

2 K 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


HtiG 

9. (1780.) Holland was soon added to the enemies of 
England; Mr. Laurens, who had been president of ccn- 
gress, was taken by a British cruiser, and the papers found 
in his possession fully proved the existence of a treaty be¬ 
tween the Dutch and the Americans. War was therefore 
declared, anil thus was England engaged with a fourth 
enemy without a single ally. About the same time the 
northern powers of Europe joined in a confederation called 
the armed neutrality, which was aimed against the mari¬ 
time claims of England. Its avowed design was to pro- 
ti ct the trade of neutral vessels with the several belligerent 
powers. 

10. But the spirit of the English nation sunk not in this 
apparently unequal contest. Admiral Rodney captured 
a Spanish convoy, defeated the enemy’s fleet, though forced 
to engage under very disadvantageous circumstances, and 
relieved Gibraltar, which the Spaniards had begun to be¬ 
siege ; sailing thence to the West Indies, he dispersed a 
French fleet far superior to his own. In America, South 
Carolina was subdued by sir Henry Clinton ; and the 
American general Arnold, believing the independent cause 
almost hopeless, abandoned his country’s cause, and entered 
into the royal service. The acquisition of this worthless 
deserter cost the life of one of Britain’s best and bravest 
officers. Major Andre, adjutant-general of the royal 
army, having been sent to conduct the negotiation with 
Arnold, was seized within the American lines, and hanged 
as a spy, by a rigid interpretation of the laws of war. 

11. The ministry had hitherto found the parliament well 
disposed to support their measures ; but the number of pe¬ 
titions presented from the counties and leading towns against 
the administration, soon raised up a formidable opposition. 
(April 0th.) At length Mr. Dunning moved his celebrated 
resolution, “ that the influence of the crown has increased 
is increasing, and ought to he diminished,” which was car¬ 
ried by a majority of twenty-eight votes ; but a second re 
solution, designed to give effect to the former, was rejected 
by a majority of fifty-one, and the ministry soon after re¬ 
covered their wonted superiority. 

12. Some of the penai laws against the Roman catholics 
were w.sely repealed by the parliament, but in consequence 
of the exertions of some misguided bigots, these measures 
were followed by the most formidable riots that ever dis 


GEOKGE 111. 


387 


graced the metropolis. June 2. An immense multitude 
assembled m St. George’s-fields, to petition for a repeal of 
the laws that had been passed in favour of the Homan 
rail olios, and after adopting several resolutions, proceeded 
m large parties to the avenues leading to the house of com¬ 
mons, where they insulted several of the members. land 
Gieoigc Gordon, a visionary enthusiast, came out and made 
a violent harangue to the multitude, informing them lhai 
their petition had been rejected. 'Hie irritated mob at once 
proceeded to acts of violence ; they destroyed all the Romish 
chapels in and about town; they burned the prisons of 
Newgale, the king’s bench, and the fleet, together with 
several private houses ; they even threatened the bank, 
which was preserved with difficult)'. At length the military 
were called out, and the rioters dispersed, though not until 
two hundred and twenty of their number had been killed or 
mortally wounded. 

13. (1781.) The campaign which decided the question 
of American independence seemed at its commencement 
to promise a far different termination : Washington’s army 
was so distressed that 1500 troops deserted his lines; but 
though they had thus shown their resentment, they refused 
to listen to any offers from the British generals, and the 
emissaries sent to seduce them were given up and hanged 
Congress, however, exerted itself so successfully, that the 
distresses of the army were finally relieved, and Washing¬ 
ton enabled to commence decisive operations. He at first 
designed to besiege New York, but being baffled by the 
superior forces of sir Henry Clinton, he suddenly resolved 
to march into the southern states, and overpower lord 
Cornwallis before Clinton’s army could move to his as 
sistance. 14. This decisive operation was crowned with 
complete success; lord Cornwallis was attacked in York- 
town, by the combined armies of France and America ; his 
lordship made a gallant defence, but two redoubts in his 
front were carried by storm—his works ruined—his lines 
swept by the fire of the enemy’s batteries, and the effective 
strength of his garrison diminished by sickness. Under 
tnese circumstances, nothing remained but to propose 
terms of capitulation. He accordingly surrendered to 
ge leral Lincoln with the same formalities that he had pre¬ 
scribed to that officer eighteen months before at Charleston , 
and it is remarkable, as a second coincidence, that the 


388 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


articles were drawn up by lieutenant-eclonel Laurens, whoso 
father was still detained as a close prisoner in the Tower of 
London. 

15. These losses were in some degree compensated by 
the success of our arms in the East Indies, where sir Eyre 
Ooote defeated Hyder Ally, and restored the company’s 
ascendency. In the West Indies, the island of St. Eustatius 
was taken from the Dutch, but subsequently recaptured by 
the French. A desperate engagement also took place off 
the Dogger Rank between an English squadron commanded 
by admiral Parker, and a Dutch squadron under admiral 
Zoutman ; after a fierce battle which lasted three hours, the 
victory remained undecided, and both returned to their re¬ 
spective harbours. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What measure did the British ministry propose? 

2. Is there any thing remarkable in the circumstances of lord Chatham's 

death ? 

3. What honours were paid to his memory? 

4. How were lord North’s commissioners treated by the Americans? 

5. In what disgraceful manner was admiral Keppel treated ? 

6. Did the results of the campaign answer the expectations of the Ame¬ 

ricans ? 

7. How was the English navy neglected ? 

8. What important events took place in Ireland ? 

9- By what new enemies was England assailed ? 

10. Did the British obtain any triumphs ? 

11. What remarkable resolution was carried in parliament ? 

12. Did any formidable riots occur in London ? 

12. How was Washington baffled in the beginning of the last campaign ? 

14. What great triumph did the Americans obtain? 

15. Did the English obtain any successes ? 


SECTION VI. 

For thcc. sweet peace, abundance Eads along 
Her joyous Uitin, and bards awake to song. 

Bland's JlntkoLusu. 

1. (A.D. 1782.) The American war was now virtually 
at an end ; all rational hopes of reducing the country again 
under the subjection of Great Britain were abandoned bv 
the great majority of the nation; but the ministry at least 
manifested the virtue of perseverance, and declared their 
resolution to carry on “ a war of posts.” The nation at 
'•>rge was opposed to this insane project; and parliament 
yielding to the voice of the people, gradually withdrew its 
support from the administration. At length, on the motion 
of general Conway, the house of commons voted “that 




geokge m. 


389 


ivhcever advised his mnjeoty to the continuation of the 
American war, should be considered as a public enemy.” 
This, of course, led to the resignation of lord North, and 
a new ministry was formed under the auspices of Mr. Fos 
and tlm marquis of Rockingham 

2. Negotiations tor peace were immediately commenced, 
nor were any of the belligerent powers disinclined to an 
accommodation. The United States, having secured their 
independence, had nothing to gain by a continuance of the 
war ; the navy of France, after being severely crippled 
during the contest, was at its close almost annihilated by 
a victory which admiral Rodney gamed over count de 
Grasse, in the West Indies, on the 12th of April; and the 
Spaniards, after having besieged Gibraltar, and wasted 
before its walls an incredible quantity of blood and trea* 
sure, had the mortification to find all their efforts fail, their 
grand attack signally defeated, and the floating batteries, 
which they had deemed irresistible, burned to the water’s 
edge, by a tremendous storm of hot balls and shells poured 
on them by the gallant garrison. 

3. Wilkes took advantage of the altered spirit of the 
times, and procured the removal of all the resolutions con- 
cerningthe Middlesex election from the journals of the house 
of commons ; after which this celebrated demagogue sunk 
into complete insignificance. In Ireland, the parliament, 
roused by the fervid eloquence of Mr. Grattan, obtained 
from the new ministry the concession of their legislative in¬ 
dependence. Immediately afier which, the Irish house of 
commons voted a sum of <£50,000 to purchase an estate for 
Mr. Grattan, as a reward for the services which he had rtn- 
deiod his country. 

4. Rut while the new administration was exerting itself 
for the reformation of abuses at home and the establishment 
of peace abroad, it was suddenly dissolved by the death of 
the marquis of Rockingham. 'The earl of Shelburne was 
rppointed premier, which so displeased Mr. Fox and his 
friends that they immediately resigned. The noble lord did 
not long retain his place; Mr. Fox, to the utter astonish¬ 
ment of the entire nation, entered into a coalition with lord 
North, whom he had so long and so bitterly opposed. I'heir 
united parliamentary influence was irresistible: amt they 
forced themselves into the royal councils, in spite of the se¬ 
cret dislike of the king and the open disgust of the nation, 

0 ( A.D. 1783.) The su ecess of the coalition was ol short 

2 k‘2 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


39U 

duration ; immediately after concluding the peace with 
France ami America, Mr. Fox introduced a l>ill lor regu* 
latum the government of India, which his influence earned 
through the house of commons, notwithstanding the most 
vigorous efforts of the company and its servants. But in 
the lords he opposition was more effectual, the king him 
self avowed his hostility to the measure, and it was finally 
ejected by a considerable majority. The ministry appear¬ 
ing unwilling to resign, were summarily dismissed, and a 
new administration formed, of which Mr. William Pitt, the 
second son of the earl of Chatham, was the most conspi¬ 
cuous member. 

6. (A. D. 1784.) Parliament at its meeting exhibited the 
unusual spectacle of ministers in a complete minority ; to 
carry on the public business under such circumstances was, 
of course, impossible, and no sooner were the supplies voted 
than the parliament was dissolved. The coalition had given 
such general offence to the nation, that the new ministry ob- 
tained a decisive majority in the new house of commons 
Mr. Pitt’s India bill, which was less violent, but also less 
effective than that of Air. Fox, was passed triumphantly; 
and an act for restoring the Scotch estates forfeited in 1745, 
went through both houses without opposition, and received 
the royal assent. 

7. (A. D. 1785.) Mr. Pitt, pursuant to the promises he 
had so often made, brought forward his motion for a reform 
in parliament; his plans were very judicious and well ar¬ 
ranged, but they were rejected by a considerable majority, 
not, as was generally suspected, without his tacit consent, 

8. (1786.) The south-western coast of New Holland afford¬ 
ing several favourable spots for colonization, it was resolved 
to transport convicts thither, and give them an opportunity 
of retrieving their characters and reforming their manners in 
another hemisphere. About the same time a maniac, named 
Margaret Nicholson, made an attempt to assassinate the 
king, as he was alighting from his carriage ; she was imme¬ 
diately seized, and her insanity being fully proved, she was 
t>ent to Bethlehem hospital, where she remained safely 
guarded, but unmolested. 

9. (1787 ) Mr. Sheridan, aided by Mr. Burke, Mr. Fox 
and several others, brought forward a motion for the im¬ 
peachment of Warren Hastings, late governor-general of 
india, for hign crimes and misdemeanours in the execution 
of his office, which passed with but little opposition. The 


GEORGE III. 


391 


consequent * rial hefore the house of lords lingered out during 
the seven succeeding years, and ended in the acquittal of the 
accused. 

10. A sttong party in Holland, secretly supported by the 
French court, violently opposed their stockholder, the prince 
of Orange, and disregarded the remonstrances made by 
England in his favour. This dispute would probably have 
rekindled a general war, had not the king of Prussia, en¬ 
raged at an insult offered to his sister, sent a large army into 
Holland, which soon restored the authority of the stadt 
holder, and crushed the power of his opponents. 

11. (1788.) While the nation was enjoying profound re 
pose, and silently repairing the losses incurred in the Ame¬ 
rican war, the country was suddenly astounded by the news 
that his majesty had been attacked by a severe illness, wfiich 
incapacitated him for discharging the duties of government. 
Mr. Fox insisted that the regency of right belonged to the 
prince of Wales ; Mr. Pitt as vehemently asserted,* that par¬ 
liament alone could provide for such an emergency. (1789.) 
After some very warm debates, it was finally resolved that 
the prince of Wales should be declared regent, subject how¬ 
ever to certain restrictions, and that the custody of the king’s 
person should be intrusted to the queen, assisted by a coun¬ 
cil. The parliament of Ireland came to a very different de¬ 
cision ; thev decreed the regency of their country to the 
prince of Wales, without any restriction whatever. 'Phis 
difference between the two parliaments would probably have 
led to fatal consequences but for the unexpected recovery of 
the king. His majesty’s restoration to health diffused uni 
versal joy through the kingdom, and was celebrated by more 
universal and splendid illuminations than any previously 
known. 

12. (1790.) A dispute took place between England and 
Spain about the possession of Nootka Sound, on the north¬ 
west coast of America, where the English had planted a 
small colony, which the Spaniards had seized, and made the 
senders prisoners. An armament was prepared with asto¬ 
nishing rapidity, but at the expense of three millions sterling ; 
Spain however was unprepared lor war, and all disputes 
were finally adjusted by an equitable convention. 

13. While the country was thus respected abroad, and 
enjoying profound peace at home, events were occurring m 
a neighbouring nation which soon involved England in a 
long, expensive but not inglorious war ; and produced a de- 


392 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


cisive change m the aspect of Europe, all whose effects axe 
piobably not even yet developed. 


Questions for Examination 

1 flow was the American war finally terminated ? 

2 Why were all parlies inclined to peace ? 

3 Wiiat circumstances showed the altered spirit of the times ? 

4 How was the ministry broken up ? 

5 Did ihe coalition ministry long continue ? 

6 How was Mr. Pitt’s power strengthened ? 

7 Wiiat important motion made by Mr. Pitt was defeated ? 

8 Was any attempt made on the king’s life? 

9 Is there any thing remarkable m the trial of Warren Hastings ? 

10 What disturbances took place in Holland ? 

11 To what disputes did his majesty’s illness give rise? 

12 What arrangements were made respecting Nootka Sound ? 

13. What was the stale of the country at this time ? 


SECTION VII. 

• 

Religion—freedom—vengeance—what yon will, 

A word's enough to raise mankind to kill; 

Some factious phrase by running caught and spread, 

Thai guilt may reign, and Wolves and worms be ted.— Byron. 

1. No event of equal importance with the French revolu¬ 
tion is recorded in history, and there is no subject which 
has given rise to such diversity of opinion. Its causes, its 
consequences, even the simple facts that occurred in its pro¬ 
gress, arc to this hour matters o r keen and violent debate, 
nor can an impartial narrative he expected while many of the 
actors are still alive, and while the impulse then given con¬ 
tinues to be felt in every part of Europe. It is undeniable 
that the form of government established in France sadly re¬ 
quired amelioration ; the privileges of the nobles were tyran¬ 
nical and oppressive, and they were exercised with stiict 
se\erity ; the conduct of the clergy was far from being in 
accordance with the principles of that holy religion which 
they professed ; the prodigality of the court was extreme ; 
the criminal laws unjustly constituted, and worse adminis¬ 
tered ; the government placed in the hands of nobles equally 
ignorant and indolent; nor Was there a single office, civil oi 
military, open to the most superior merits, unless aided by 
the possession of high birth and titled name. These were 
evils poorly compensated by the private virtues of the hap¬ 
less sovereign, who came to the throne of France at the mo¬ 
ment when the accumulated evils of centuries had nearly 
reached their consummation. 2. While the higher classes 

O 

were sunk in luxury and sloth, the lower ranks, in a state 




GEORGE HI. 


31*3 

of ignorance and degradation, and goaded on by misery 
were ready to second every movement, and to join in every 
excess. In the middle classes, the elements of strife were 
even more thickly sown ; they were irritated at the con¬ 
tempt shown them by their haughty superiors, they were in¬ 
dignant at seeing the doors of preferment closed agamst the 
exertions of honourable ambition, and their minds were de¬ 
bauched by the perusal of the speculative treatises on “ the 
rights of man,” which, despite of every restriction, daily 
issued from the press, and which, with very few exceptions, 
advocated principles subversive of ail religion, and conse¬ 
quently of all good government. 

3. The American w r ar precipitated a revolution, which 
probably, could not have been much longer delayed. The 
French soldiers, wdiile fighting in the cause of American 
freedom, naturally imbibed the principles of their allies, 
and diffused them over the country on their return home: 
the royal exchequer, which had been nearly exhausted by 
the profligate extravagance of the former reign, was totally 
ruined by an expensive war, and the country was on the 
very eve of a national bankruptcy. When a variety of ex¬ 
pedients, most of which made matters w’orse, had been tried 
in vain, the king determined to convoke the states-genera., 
which had not been assembled since 1614, and they accord¬ 
ingly met at Versailles on the 5th of May, 1789. 

4. After some angry debates, it w’as determined that the 
three orders of the clergy, the nobles, and the commons, 
should meet in one body, an arrangement which threw’ all 
the power into the hands of the popular party. They as 
sumed the name of the national assembly, and immediately 
commenced a total change in the constitution of their coun¬ 
try. Feudal privileges and titles were abolished ; local di¬ 
visions set aside ; and the country distributed into depart¬ 
ments instead of provinces, for the purpose of adopting an 
uniform system of taxation; monastic institutions were 
suppressed, and the English system of trial by jury sub¬ 
stituted for the administration of justice by the old provincial 
parliaments. 

5. Such an extensive alteration naturally disgusted th 
court and the nobility; unable to conceal their hostility tc 
the new measures, they exposed themselves to popular in¬ 
dignation, and dreading the consequences, the Cm ntd’ Artois 
(afterwards Charles X.) the prince of Conde, and several 
others, emigrated. But this flight aggravated the jealousy 


391 


HISTORY 01- ENGLAND. 


of the people ; the Parisian mob stormed the fortress of the 
Bastile, the state prison of trance, and levelled it with the 
ground ; they next formed a national guard, composed 
tirelv of citizens, at the head of which was placed M. ue 
la Fayette ; and at length a furious moh advanced to V r er« 
sailles, and brought the king and royal family in triumph 
to the capital. 

(i (1791.) The progress of the revolution in France was 
nxiously watched by two powerful parties in England, who 
viewed it with very different feelings. While one party 
looked upon it as the triumph of liberty, the ad ministration 
and a large portion of the aristocracy regarded it as the 
triumph of anarchy over all legitimate authority. Nor 
were such feelings confined to the higher classes, the popu¬ 
lace shared largely in the hatred to the new politics of 
France; a dinner to celebrate the capture of the Bastile was 
adjourned in London through dread of popular resentment; 
bin in Birmingham a festive meeting to commemorate the 
same event was dispersed by a furious mob, which sub¬ 
sequently proceeded to destroy the dissenting chapels, and 
the houses of all who were supposed favourable to the 
French revolution. 

7. (1792.) 'The principal powers on the continent having 
entered into a treaty, to check the progress of the French 
revolution, it was obvious that war could not long be de¬ 
layed; but the interference of the monarchs precipitated the 
events which they wished to prevent. The duke of Bruns¬ 
wick, as commander-in-chief of the allied armies, issued an 
ill-judged and sanguinary manifesto, which, with some sus¬ 
picious circumstances in the conduct, of the king and queen, 
so exasperated the French, that all the power of the state 
was thrown into the hands of the jacobins, as the most 
violent republicans were called. 'The consequences were 
dreadful : the palace of the king was stormed, his guards 
massacred, himself and family confined as close prisoners, 
and royalty finally abolished in France. Ere yet the world 
recovered from its astonishment at these events, it learned 
with equal surprise and indignation, that the unfortunate 
king had been brought to trial by his subjects, and con¬ 
demned to death by a majority of votes. This iniquitous 
sentence was executed on the 21st of January, 1793. 

j 7 

8. While France was thus distracted, England was 

© 

quietly enjoying the blesshigs of peace; and the parliament 
engaged in the advancement of measures equally salutary 



Ine Duke of York at the surrender of ValencienDes. 

A 

and judicious. Several taxes that pressed on commerce and 

industry were repealed; a hill introduced by Mr. Fox to 

make juries in cases of libel judges of law as well as fact, 

was passed ; some further concessions were made to the 

Roman catholics; but Mr. Wilberforce’s motion for the 

abolition of the slave-trade was lost bv a considerable ma- 

¥ 

jority. 9. In the East Indies, Tippoo Saib (son of Ryder 
Ally), who seems to have inherited his father’s hostility to 
England along with his dominions, was completely subdued 
by lord Cornwallis, and forced to purchase peace by the 
cession of a large portion of his dominions, and the pay¬ 
ment of an enormous sum, for the performance of which 
his sons were given as hostages. 

10. (1793.) The atrocities committed by the French 
jacobins completed the alienation of the British people from 
the cause of the new revolution ; and the ministry, now 
certain of popular support, adopted several measures which 
left their hostility no longer doubtful. The national con 
vention immediately declared war against the king of 
(•real Britain and the stadtholder of Holland, intimating by 
this artful phraseology that the people of these countries 
had an interest distinct from their respective sovereigns 
11. It is certain that this declaration of war, if not direc* y 
provoked, was by no means unacceptable to ihe British 
ministry, and the great body of the aristocracy by which it 
was supported. Immediately after its appearance, the duke 
















HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


396 

of York was sent to join the allied armies in the invasion 
of France; but the invaders, though at first successful, 
having taken Valenciennes, soon suffered some severe 
cheeks ; an .1 at the end of the second campaign were totally 
defeated by the republicans. The fortified harbour of 
Toulon having been surrendered to the English, the French 
government made the most strenuous efforts for its recovery , 
these proved for a time abortive, until the direction of the 
siege was intrusted to Napoleon Bonaparte, who now for 
the first time appeared on that scene where he afterwards 
played so conspicuous a part. By his exertions the F *—*• 
lish were compelled to evacuate the town, leaving the 
greater portion of the citizens exposed to the sanguinary 
vengeance of the irritated republicans. 

12. (1794.) To compensate for this ill success by land 
the British navy established its wonted pre-eminence, in a 
victory gained by earl Howe over the French fieet in the 
West Indies; and several of the colonies belonging to 
France were about the same time conquered with little 
trouble. 13. The domestic occurrences of this period, 
though not very numerous, were not deficient in import¬ 
ance : Messrs. Hardy, Horne Tooke, and others, were 
brought to trial at the Old Bailey on a charge of high-trea¬ 
son, and acquitted, after a patient investigation, which lasted 
several days. That they desired to effect a great change in 
the constitution of the country was acknowledged by the 
prisoners themselves; but it was clearly proved that they 
wished to obtain reform only by legal and constitutional 
means, and that they were opposed to violence and insur¬ 
rectionary movements. The ministers succeeded bettei 
with similar prosecutions in Ireland and Scotland, where 
several persons were found guilty of sedition, and sentenced 
to several degrees of punishment. 

14. (1795.) The ill success of the war induced many 
of the continental sovereigns to make peace with the French 
republic. The grand-duke of Tuscany set the example, 
and was followed by the king of Spain, the Swiss cantons, 
and the regent of Sweden. The king of Prussia only 
waited until he had received the English subsidy, and then 
signed a treaty with the power he had been paid to oppose. 
The people o( Holland expelled the stadtholder, and erect¬ 
ing in their country what they called a Batavian republic 
became virtually a province of France. In short, England 
had scarcely an ally remaining but Austria, and the con- 



GEORGE III. 


897 

friendship of that power was never a matter of cer- 
fcaintv. 15. The English navy obtained some triumphs, 
especially a brilliant victory under lord Bridport, at Port 
tOrient; but an expedition undertaken by the French emi 
grants, under the auspices of the British ministry, was 
signally defeated. 

lti. Symptoms of discontent, almost amounting to dis 
affection, began to be manifested in various parts of the 
empire; the successes of the war had been few and of little 
value ; but had they been still more decisive, they would 
not have compensated for the distress occasioned by un- 
piecedented taxation. The people of London suffered se¬ 
verely from the interruption of commerce, and some of the 
lower class, irritated by their protracted misery, assailed 
the king’s carriage when his majesty went in state to the 
house of lords. This outrage served, however, to strengthen 
the administration, for the parliament, indignant at the out¬ 
rage offered to the sovereign, sanctioned several bills for the 
suppression of sedition ; bills, perhaps, rendered necessary 
by the peculiar circumstances of the period, but which 
greatly diminished the limits of British freedom. 17. The 
prince of Wales, in order to procure the payment of his 
debts, mariied his cousin, the princess Caroline of Bruns¬ 
wick ; we must once again refer to this unfortunate union 
it is sufficient to say here, that a daughter was born in the 
beginning of the following year, soon after which the parents 
were finally separated. 

18. (1796.) The Dutch and Spaniards, having joined their 
forces to those of the French, were now become enemies 
of Great Britain ; and this country, from being an accessary, 
was now a principal in the war. Several of the Dutch set¬ 
tlements in the East Indies were subdued, but England lost 
the island of Corsica, which had been formally placed under 
British protection a few years previously. The Austrians 
were almost driven out of Italy by the French under Napo¬ 
leon Bonaparte, whose brilliant career began now to excite 
the attention of Europe. A fruitless effort to terminate the 
war by negotiation was made by the British ministry ; it 
failed, because probably it never was intended to succeed. 

19. (1797.) The enormous expenses which Great Biilain 
had to sustain were found to have exhausted the resources 
of the country so much, that at length tiie bank stopped 
payment; and an issue of paper money was of course the 
consequence. Two alarming mutinies broke out in the 

2 L 


898 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


navy ; that at Spithead was settled by giving the senrner. 
additional pay, but that at the Nore was not quelled without 
bloodshed, and the execution of some of the ringleaders 
20 But England still maintained her naval renown; a bril¬ 
liant victory was gained by sir John Jarvis over the Spanish 
fleet, off Cape St. Vincent, and an equally glorious triumph 
was obtained over the Dutch by admiral Duncan, at Cam- 
perdown. 21. Our ally had not equal fortune, Ausrtia was 
everywhere defeated, and to escape total ruin was obliged 
to submit to the terms of peace which Bonaparte dictated at 
Campo Formio. 


Questions for Examination., 

1. What was the state of France at the commencement of the revolution! 

2. In whai dangerous circumstances were the dillerent orders of society? 

3. How did the American war precipitate a revolution? 

4. What triumphs were gained by the popular party at the meeting of the 

states-general ? 

5. Did these alterations produce any important results ? 

fi. In what-manner was the French revolution regarded in F.ngland ? 

7. What consequences were produced by the duke of Brunswick’s procla 

mation ? 

8. What was the state of F.ngland at this time ? 

9. Was any important advantages gained m the East Indies? 

10. How did the war commence ? 

11 What reverses did the English experience? 

12. By what naval triumphs were these compensated? 

13. Did any important trials occur at this time ? 

14- How did the allies of England behave? 

15. Where was lord Bridport victorious? 

lb. How did the people of England show their discontent? 

17. What royal marriage was contracted nt this time? 

18. In what manner was the war conducted ? 

19. Did any dangerous events occur in England ? 

20. How did the English naw behave? 

21. Where was peace made between France and Austria? 


SECTION VIII. 

O frantic thirst of glory and of fame! — JWicklc. 

1. (A.D. 1798.) The restoration of the legislative inde- 
fvmtlenee of Ireland in 1782 was far from satisfying the ex¬ 
pectations foimed ny a considerable party in that counity. 
JReform in parliament, and a repeal of the remnant of the 
penal laws against the Roman catholics, were rather de¬ 
manded as a nolit than craved as a boon ; airl when the 
government refused to make concessions, the majority re 
mained sullen and discontented, while a few wilder spinta 





GEORGE III. 


399 


meditated a total separation from England, and the esta- 
blishinent of an Irish republic after the example of France 
The lower classes were easily induced to adopt schemes 
that flattered their national pride ; and though government, 
hav.ng received timely information, arrested the principal 
leaders, disaffection was too extensive to be thus checked, 
and several counties broke out in open insurrection. After 
a sanguinary struggle, disgraced by several atrocities on both 
sides, the revolters were everywhere defeated ; and on the 
surrender of a small body of French who had been sent to 
aid the insurgents, peace was finally restored by the judi¬ 
cious and merciful measures of lord Cornwallis. 

2. In the mean time, Napoleon, with a large fleet and 
army, proceeded to Egypt, and on his voyage obtained pos 
session of Malta by the treachery of the knights. The ca 
reer of the French invader was sufficiently triumphant in 
Egypt, but bis hopes of permanent success were sadly 
blighted by the loss of bis fleet, over which admiral Nelson 
obtained one of the most complete victories recorded in the 
annals of war. 3. 'This brilliant triumph was obtained in 
Aboukir Bay, one of the mouths of the Nile, on the first of 
August; nine sail of the line were taken; two more and a 
frigate either burnt or blown up during die action, and only 
two escaped, which, however, were subsequently captured 
Soon after Bonaparte was repulsed before Acre, chiefly by 
the heroic exertions of sir Sidney Smith ; and having at the 
same time received news from France that seemed to open 
safer and brighter objects, he secretly returned borne, anil 
soon effected a revolution, by which he placed himself at 
the head of the government with the title of first consul. 

4. The first measure taken by Napoleon after his eleva¬ 
tion, was to send a letter to the king of England offering 
peace ; this was instantly rejected, for a new and powerful 
coalition had been formed against France, from which the 
most splendid success was anticipated. But this coalition 
soon fell to pieces; the Russian emperor withdrew his 
forces; the duke of York was forced to quit Holland with 
his army on finding the population indisposed to second his 
efforts, and the French, under the new government, display¬ 
ed even more than their former energies. 

5. In the East Indies the English waged a successful war 
against their old enemy Tippoo Saib ; his capital was taken 
by storm, himself slain, and all his treasures divided among 
'V . ^nquerors. Since that period the entire peninsula of 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


400 

India has been virtually subjected to the authority of the 
English. 

0. (A. D. 1800.) Austria had again commenced wai 
against France, and was maintaining it with characteristic 
obstinacy, when Napoleon brought it to a sudden close by 
one of those master-strokes of genius which baffle ordinary 
calculation. He led his army across the Alps into Italy in 
despite of the most appalling difficulties, and obtained a 
Complete victory at Marengo. A subsidy from England 
induced the Austrian emperor to continue his resistance, but 
the battle of Hohenlinden placed him completely at the 
mercy of the conqueror, and he was forced to solicit terms 
of peace. 

7. The question of a legislative union with England, 
which had been previously negatived in the Irish house of 
commons, was finally carried by the minister ; it was deter¬ 
mined that from the 1st of January, 1801, there should be 
but one imperial parliament for the British islands, in which 
Ireland should be represented by four spiritual peers, taken 
in rotation every session, twenty-eight temporal peers 
chosen for life, and one hundred commoners elected in the 
usual fnanner. 

8. (1801.) Paul, emperor of Russia, not satisfied with 
deserting the alliance of England, became her bitter enemy, 
and persuaded the other northern powers to revive the 
hostile confederation, called the armed neutrality. After 
negotiation had been tried ineffectually, a fleet was sent 
against Copenhagen, under the command of admiral Parker, 
assisted by lord Nelson. After having passed the Sound 
with little difficulty. Nelson attacked, and almost annihilated 
the formidable lines of the Danish defence ; but some of 
his own ships having grounded in a situation exposed to the 
fire of the hostile batteries, he took advantage of his previ¬ 
ous success to offer terms of accommodation, which were 
immediately accepted. It is probable that the war miafit 
have been again renewed had not intelligence been received 
of the deposition of the emperor Paul, who had been the 
head of the confederacy. His son and successor. Alexan¬ 
der, was anxious to be on good terms with Great Britain; 
and the minor states found themselves obliged to imitate his 
example. 

9. An expedition, under the command of sir Ralph 
Abercrombie, was equally successful in expelling the French 
^om Egypt, but that distinguished officer fell in the arms of 




GEORGE III. 


40.1 


victory. The French, having been defeated at Alexandria, 
offered terms when general Hutchinson was preparing to 
besiege them in Cairo, and evacuated the country pursuant 
to the articles of capitulation. 10. Before the news of this 
success arrived in England, the country had been threatened 
with an invasion. Troops were collected along the coasts 
of France and Holland, and vessels prepared for their trans¬ 
portation m the harbours along the channel. Lord Nelson 
was sent with a flotilla to attack Boulogne, the enemy’s 
principal rendezvous, but failed after two brilliant efforts 
The bravery, however, displayed by the British sailors, and 
the manifest superiority of England by sea, convinced Na¬ 
poleon that the enterprise was hopeless, and the project was 
soon laid aside. 

11. Both the belligerent powers were now heartily tired 
of a war, which exhausted their resources, and conferred 
advantages on neither. In deference to the general wish, 
a change of ministry was effected in England ; Mr. Adding- 
ton (afterwards lord Sidmouth) became premier in place of 
Mr. Put, and negotiations instantly commenced. (1302.) 
The terms were soon arranged, and a peace was concluded 
at Amiens, which cannot he better described than by the 
words of an eminent statesman, “ it was a peace at which 
everybody rejoiced, but of which nobody could he proud.” 

12. From the moment in which the treaty of peace was 
signed, jealousies and discontents daily arose in France and 
England, which threatened to produce fresh hostilities at nc 
very distant period. Bonaparte, having been appointed first 
consul for life, used every exertion to enlarge dominions of 
which he was now in all but name the sovereign ; he aggran¬ 
dized France by the annexation of Piedmont to its territories, 
and had given even greater offence by invading Switzer¬ 
land. On the other hand, the first consul complained that 
England still retained possession of Malta, which, by the 
terms of the late treaty, should have been restored to the 
knights, and remonstrated against the virulent libels on his 
character, which were published in the English newspapers, 
as he believed, with the connivance of government. (A.L>. 
1303.) These mutual bickerings soon produced more angry 
demonstrations; lord Whitworth, the English ambassador, 
having been treated with unmerited indignity, withdrew 
from France and war was soon after proclaimed. 

13. A short time previous to the recommencement of hos¬ 
tilities, a conspiracy for the subversion of the government 

2 l 2 


402 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


was detected in England. It was formed by a colonel De¬ 
part!, wfio fancied that government had treated him with 
uniust neglect; his associates were desperate men of llie 
lowest ranks, and nothing could be more wild or inadequate 
than the means by which they proposed to execute their 
insane projects. 14. The execution of the principal con 
spirators restored public confidence ; but in a lew months 
the alarm was again renewed by the account of an insur¬ 
rection having broken out in Dublin. The leader of the 
revolt was Robert Emmett, a young man of the most amia¬ 
ble qualities, but a wild and visionary enthusiast. The 
insurgents were badly armed and worse disciplined; they 
were consequently subdued with little difficulty, but not 
before lord Kilwarden and his nephew had been murdered 
by the infatuated mob. 

15. Napoleon recommenced the war with great vigour ; 
his troops overran Hanover, and compelled the princes in the 
north of Germany to close their ports against the English. 
On the other hand, the British navy blockaded the mouths 
of the principal rivers from which British traders were ex¬ 
cluded, and captured several French colonies. The English 
having made prizes of many French merchant-ships, and 
treated their crews as prisoners, Bonaparte seized on all the 
English visiters who were travelling - in France, am 1 detained 
them as hostages. 16. About the same time, the French 
army, which had been employed to suppress the revolt of 
the negroes in St. Domingo, being cut off from all sunplies 
by the Br tish cruisers, was forced to surrender, and the 
island has since remained an independent state under the 
name of Hayti. The threats of invading Britain were re¬ 
peated, but after a vain display of force on both sides, no 
efforts were made to put the threats in execution. 


Questions for Examination . 

1 What calamitous event occurred in Ireland ? 

2 Whither did Napoleon lead his new armament ? 

3 How was the progress of the French m Egypt checked? 

4. What was Napoleon’s first attempt when appointed consult 

5. Did the English obtain any triumph in the East Indies? 

6. Where was the power of Austria overthrown ? 

What ini|»ortant change was made in the government of Ireland ? 

S. IIow did England escape the dangers threatened by the armed neu- 
trality ? 

1 Bv whom were the French driven from Egypt? 

10. What events were produced by the threats of invasion I 

11 How was a peace effected ? 

12 Did the peace promise to be permanent ? 



GEORGE III. 


403 


t3 What conspiracy was discovered in England ? 

L4. Wits there not a new attempt at insurrection in Ireland if 
15 How did the war commence? 

If Of what island were the French deprived ? 


SECTION IX. 

Ayr-—at (lie hmir of utmost neod 
Thy statHsmeti fall, thy WHirmrs IiIppiI; 

The v (innus m n<i, the va in t hand, 

Desert ut once the mourning land. — Cooke. 

1. (A.D. 1804.) The administration of Mr. Addington 
having failed to give satisfaction to the nation, he resigned 
and was succeeded by Mr. Pitt, who immediately devoted 
all his energies to the formation of a new coalition against 
France. In this labour he was not a little assisted by the 
general indignation which was excited by the unprincipled 
murder of the duke d’Enghien. This unfortunate young 
prince was seized by the emissaries of Bonaparte in a 
neutral territory, dragged to the castle of Vincennes, sub¬ 
jected to the mockery of a trial before a military tribunal, 
and shot in the ditch of the castle by torch-light. Immedi¬ 
ately after the perpetration of this crime, Bonaparte was 
proclaimed emperor of the French and king of Italy; but 
the assumption of the latter title gave great offence to 
Austria, whose claims on Italy were thus contemptuously 
disregarded. 

2. One allv, however, was ensured to France by an act 
of questionable policy on the part of England. Spain hav¬ 
ing entered into a treaty with Napoleon, the British minister 
determined to intercept the treasure ships from South 
America, without waiting for the formality of a declaration 
of war. Three of these vessels were intercepted by the 
British squadron, two were taken, but the third unfortu¬ 
nately blew up, and the greater part of the crew perished. 
The Spanish court, on hearing the news, immediately pro¬ 
claimed itself the enemy of Great Britain. 

3. (A.D. 1805.) 'Idie naval triumphs of England were 
consummated by the almost total annihilation of the hostile 
fleets. 'I’he French ships of war in Toulon, having baffled 
the vigilance of the blockading squadron, effected a junction 
with the Spanish fleet at Cadiz, and sailed for the West 
Indies; hither they were pursued by lord Nelson; but hav¬ 
ing heard of his approach, the allied admirals returned to 
Europe. Nelson soon followed, and after several disap¬ 
pointments, had, at*length, the satisfaction to discover the 



404 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



ft' ' " ' ' 

Death of lord Nelson. 


French under Villeneuve, and the Spaniards under Gravina, 
on the morning of October 21st, drawn up in a double line 
of battle off Cape Trafalgar. The British navy attacked 
in two columns, the windward line being led by Nelson, in 
the Victory, the leeward by admiral Collingwood. Afier a 
terrible engagement, which lasted three hours, the English 
obtained a decisive victory. Nineteen sail of the line, with 
Villeneuve, and two other flag officers, were captured ; the 
remainder, under admiral Gravina, fled, but several of them 
were subsequently taken by a squadron under sir R. 
Strachan. 4. This victory was dearly purchased by the 
death of lord Nelson, who had long been the pride of the 
English navy. lie was mortally wounded by a musket-ball 
in the middle of the action, and died a little before its close. 
5. The grief of his country was shown by the honours paid 
to his memory; his brother was raised to the peerage; a 
liberal pension settled on his widow; his remains were 
deposited in St. Paul’s cathedral, accompanied by a proces¬ 
sion more splendid and magnificent than England had ever 
witnessed on a similar occasion, and a monument erected at 
the public expense as a lasting testimony of national grati¬ 
tude. Ptewards were also voted to the companions of his 
victory ; admiral Collingwood was raised to the peerage, and 
a liberal provision was made for the wounded, and for the 
families of the slain. 

6. The triumphs of France by land gmply compensated 













































GEOUGE III. 


405 


for her losses by sea. The Austrians were everywhere 
deleated; the archduke Charles was driven from Italy by 
Massena; Ulm was surrendered to Napoleon by general 
Mack, under circumstances that led to strong suspicions of 
treachery ; and, finally, Vienna itself submitted to the con¬ 
queror. The junction of the Russians gave a temporary 
confidence to the Austrian emperor; but his hopes proved 
fallacious ; on the 2d of December Napoleon totally de¬ 
feated the allied armies at Austerlitz, and Austria was 
necessarily lompelled to submit to whatever terms the con¬ 
queror thought fit to dictate. 

7. (A.D. 1800. ) The failure of a coalition which he had 
taken so much pains to form, and the mortification of seeing 
his colleague, lord Melville, impeached by the house of 
commons, preyed on Mr. Pitt’s health, and, to use a com¬ 
mon but expressive phrase, broke his heart. He was ho¬ 
noured with a public funeral, and a monument erected to his 
memory at the national expense. A new administration 
was formed under the auspices of lord Grenville and Mr. 
Fox, one of whose first measures was the final abolition of 
the slave-trade. Mr. Fox did not long survive his great 
political rival ; he died in the course of the same year. 

8 During the late struggle the conduct of the king of 
Prussia had been marked by singular indecision. Scarcely, 
however, had Austria been crushed, than, to the great asto¬ 
nishment of the world, it was announced, that Prussia, in a 
moment of chivalrous enthusiasm, had determined singly to 
cope with the victorious arms of France. The war was 
decided in a single campaign ; the Prussians were irretrieva¬ 
bly ruined at the battle of Jena; fortress after fortress sur¬ 
rendered to Napoleon, and the unfortunate king, stripped of 
the greater part of his dominions, had now no hope but in 
the assistance of Russia. 9. (A.D. 1807.) Even this last 
hope failed, an indecisive battle was fought at Eylau ; but 
the Russians having failed in an attempt to relieve Dantzic, 
and suffered a total defeat at Friedland, solicited terms of 
peace. A treaty was concluded at Tilsit, by which the 
Prussian king was stripped of half his dominions, and had 
the fuither mortification to learn that the remainder was 
spared only in deference to the wishes of the young emperor 
of Russia. 

10. This decisive success enabled Bonaparte to execute 
the projects which he had so long formed against the com¬ 
merce of England. By the celebrated Berlin decrees, all 


406 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND, 


the continental ports were closed against British mamifac 
hirers and Denmark, though long in alliance with England, 
was forced to comply with the imperious mandate. This 
led to the adoption of measures by the British government 
which could only be justified by the most stern necessity 

11. An expedition, under the command of admiral lord 
Gainbier, and general the earl of Cathcart, was sent to 
compel the surrender of the Danish fleet, in order that it 
nvght be retained as a deposite by England until the con¬ 
clusion of the war, as Napoleon notoriously designed to 
have employed it in restoring the navy of France. The 
demand was peremptorily reft:.*ed; but the English having 
bombarded Copenhagen for three days successively, his 
Danish majesty, to save his capital from total destruction, 
agieed to the proposed terms, and the whole fleet, consisting 
of eighteen ships of the line, fifteen frigates, and thirty-one 
smaller vessels, was given up, together with an immense 
quantity of naval stores. 

12. But the other foreign expeditions undertaken by the 
English were unusually unsuccessful; Buenos Ayres, after 
its capture by sir Home Popham, was recovered by the 
inhabitants, and an armament sent out for its recovery under 
general Whitelocke failed signally and disgracefully: a 
fleet under admiral Duckworth forced the passage of the 
Dardanelles, but being unable to make an impression on 
Constantinople, was compelled to retire with loss : Alexan¬ 
dria, in Egypt, was captured by general Fraser, but he was 
soon compelled to evacuate his conquest; and an expedition 
undertaken to assist the king of Sweden had an equally 
inefficient termination. 

13. The Grenville administration, which had been very 
popular at the outset, had now declined considerably in 
public favour ; and it probably had never possessed the full 
confidence of the king. The mini? ters having brought for- 
ward some measures of concession to the Roman catholics, 
which his majesty disapproved, were compelled to resign, 
and Mr. Pitt's friends were recalled to the cabinet. 

14. Portugal was now the only part of the continent 
open to Great Britain, and Napoleon determined that her 
manufactures should be excluded from this country also. 
The prince-regent of Portugal, alarmed by the appearance 
of a powerful French army on his frontiers, promised obe* 
dienr<e to the demands of the French emperor ; but finding 
tb a * every compliance was insufficient to conciliate the 


GEORGE III 


407 

invaders, and that the annihilation of his kingdom was 
intended, he embarked on board the English fleet, and was 
conveyed to the Brazilian settlements in South America. 
Immediately after his departure the French occupied Lisbon 
without opposition. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 How did Napoleon excite the resentment of the European monarclis 

2. Why did the Spaniards support the French with all their might? 

3. What great naval victory did the English obtain? 

4. By what event was the joy for this victory diminished ? 

5. In what manner did the English nation show its respect for Nelson and 

his companions ? 

6. Did the French gain any advantages on land ? 

7. Why was there a change made in the British ministry? 

8. What success had the Prussians in their war against France ? 

9- By what events was a peace precipitated ? 

10 What use did Napoleon make of his victory ? 

11. How did the English act under these circumstances? 

12. in what expeditions were the English unsuccessful ? 

13 What circumstances brought aliout a change in the British ministry? 

14 What remarkable events took place in Portugal ? 


SECTION X. 

First from his trance the heroic Spaniard woke 
Ills chains he hr. ke. 

And casiins off his m-ck the treacherous yoko 
He caked on England. — Southey. 

J. (A.D. 1808.) The unprincipled occupation of Portu¬ 
gal was followed by a series of transactions still more iniqui¬ 
tous in Spain, which, though at tirst apparently successful, 
blighted for ever the character of Napoleon, and contributed 
not a little to his final overthrow. Seldom have the annals 
of any country presented such a picture of vice and imbe¬ 
cility as was displayed by the court of Spain at the period 
which now occupies our attention ; the king was a weak and 
irresolute monarch, destitute of abilities for managing the 
affairs of state, even in the most tranquil times; ami, 
consequently, wholly unfit to rule at a period when all 
Europe was convulsed by the consequences of the French 
revolution. His prime minister, and the virtual ruler of 
Spain, was Godov, whom the illicit attachment of the queen 
had raised from the rank of a private gentleman to guide the 
national councils, under the proud title of the Prince of the 
Peace. But Godoy was by no means fitted to discharge the 
duties of the station to which he had been raised. Possess¬ 
ing neither talent nor principle, he pursued a selfish and 




HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


408 

vacillating course of policy, which wasted the resources of 
Spain, and made the country contemptible in the eyes ol ah 
the surrounding nations. *i. Godoy was of course unpopu¬ 
lar ; the nobility despised him as an upstart; the people 
regarded him as the author of all the calamities by which 
they were oppressed ; and, at length, reports having been 
circulated that he intended to remove the royal family to 
South America, a furious insurrection broke out, which 
terminated in stripping Godoy of all his authority. De¬ 
prived of his only reliance, the imbecile Charles resigned 
tne crown to his son Ferdinand, prince of Asturias, who was 
at once proclaimed king, to the universal delight of the 
people. 3. When Napoleon received intelligence of this 
revolution, he immediately proceeded to Bayonne, in order 
to be nearer the scene of action, and directed the numerous 
army, which he maintained in Spain, to occupy Madrid. 
By means of some obscure intrigues, Charles was induced 
to withdraw his abdication, and claim the assistance of the 
French emperor against his rebellious son; while at the 
same time assurances were privately conveyed to Ferdinand 
that Napoleon was attached to his cause, and would, if an 
appeal was made, certainly decide in his favour. 4. By 
such representations the entire Spanish royal family was 
induced to cross the frontier ; and no sooner were they in 
the power of the French emperor, than they were severally 
compelled to abdicate their claims to the crown, which Na¬ 
poleon was determined to transfer to his brother Joseph. 

5. When the iniquitous transactions at Bayonne became 
known, they filled the mind of every Spaniard with feelings 
of the deepest indignation ; one sentiment seemed to per 
vade the entire nation; a determination to maintain the 
independence of their country, and submit to none but theii 
legitimate sovereign. The French were able to suppress 
the insurrection at Madrid after a fearful massacre, which 
is the deepest stain on the character of Murat, by whom the 
garrison was commanded ; but in the provinces, provisional 
juntas were formed, armies levied, and every preparation 
made for a vigorous resistance to the usurpers. The gar 
rison of Gibraltar, and the British fleets in the Mediterra¬ 
nean, lent their assistance to the efforts of the patriots, and 
by their aid the important city of Cadiz was secured, and 
die French fleet, which lay in the harbour, forced to sur¬ 
render. 6. The armies of France also met some severe 
checks ; Dupont, with a force of 15,000 men, was forced 


GEORGE III. 




to urrender to the patriot general Castanos ; Moncey waa 
compelled to retreat from Valencia ; and lastly, a Spanish 
army, which had been employed by Bonaparte in the north 
o ? Germany, revolted, and was conveyed by a British squad¬ 
ron to the peninsula. 

7. The flame of insurrection soon spread to Portugal; 
and though the French generals in-that unhappy country 
endeavoured to suppress the revolt by cruelly massacring 
all suspected of having shared in the efforts for the libera 
tion of their country, this detestable policy only engendered 
a more determined spirit of resistance, and a fiercer thirst 
for vengeance. 

8. The news of the events in the peninsula was received 
in England with the greatest enthusiasm. The Spanish 
deputies were welcomed with the utmost warmth ; all the 
Spanish prisoners released, clothed, armed, and sent to aid 
the efforts of their countrymen ; munitions of war were 
supplied to the patriots from the British arsenals ; public 
aids and private subscriptions were liberally contributed for 
the supply of their exhausted resources ; and a well-appointed 
army under the command of sir Arthur Wellesley, sent to 
assist in the liberation of Portugal. 


9. On the first of August the British troops landed in 
Mondego Bay, and soon commenced active operations. On 
the seventeenth, the French were defeated at Rolica; but on 
the twenty-first, a still more decisive battle was fought at 
Vimiera, and the English were completely victorious. 10. 
Unfortunately at this important moment, sir Arthur Welles¬ 
ley was superseded in his command by sir Harry Burrard, 
who gave immediate orders to stop the pursuit, thus sacri¬ 
ficing all the fruits of this brilliant victory. On the following 
morning, sir Hew Dalrymple arrived to take the supreme 
command, and he entered into negotiations with the French 
commander. 11. A convention for the evacuation of Portu¬ 
gal was concluded at Cintra, on terms so favourable tc the 
French that they excited universal dissatisfaction. One 
article provided for the security of the Russian fleet then 
lying in the Tagus ; but this the English admiral, sir Charles 
Cotton, peremptorily refused to ratify; and the ships were 
surrendered to him on condition of being restored in six 
months after the conclusion of peace with Russia 

12. Portugal being now free from the invader, sir John 
Moore, who had been appointed to the command of the 
British army, was directed to advance into northern Spain, 

9 JVJ 



htSIOll* OK 


HO 



Death of sir John Moore. 


and anJ the exertions of the patriots. The instructions sent 
to the gallant general had been prepared on the faith of the 
representations made hy the Spanish deputies in London ; 
it was not discovered, until too late, that these were wholly 
unworthy of credit. 13. The resolute spirit of hostility to 
the French in the lower ranks of the Spaniards is indubita¬ 
ble ; but the upper ranks, at the same time ignorant and 
conceited, were slow to make any exertion, and though', 
more of securing for themselves some petty authority than 
joining in efforts for the liberation of their country. Like 
all weak and vain-glorious men, they were great boasters ; 
they told of countless armies and exhaustless resources ; but 
when the moment of trial arrived, their armies were found 
to be an undisciplined rabble, and even sometimes to have 
existed only on paper; their magazines were discovered to 
be empty, and their boasted preparations to have consisted 
in doing nothing. Even before sir John Moore had entered 
Spain, the principal forces with which he had been destined 
to co-operate were defeated and dispersed, in a great degree 
bv the sheer incapacity of their generals. When sir John 
Moore found that all the expectations which he had been 
led to form were utterly groundless, he resolved to return to 
Portugal; the British minister to the Spanish junta, how¬ 
ever, prevailed on him to change his lesmution and to hazard 
an advance into the heart of the country. 14. In the mean 
time Napoleon himself had arrived to take the direction of 
the invading army, and the promptitude of his movements 



GEORGE III. 


41 


soon left the British general no other choice but retreat. 
The sufferings of the army during this retrogade movement 
transcend the powers of description ; discipline was for the 
most part at an end, and the country they had come 
protect was treated by the famished soldiers as if it hau 
belonged to an enemy. 15. (A.D. 1809.) At length, when 
they reached Corunna, the enemy was found to have pursued 
them so close that nothing but a victory or a convention 
could secure their embarkation. Sir John Moore at once 
decided to risk the chances of battle ; he obtained a victory 
so glorious as to shade the calamities of the retreat; but 
unfortunately the success of the army was purchased by the 
life of its gallant commander. 

16. (A.D. 1809.) 'Baking advantage of the withdrawing 
of the French troops from Germany to recruit the armies in 
Spain, the emperor of Austria again determined to encounter 
the hazards of war, and endeavour to retrieve his former 
fortunes. But the same fatality which had hitherto attended 
the military operations of this power, still counteracted its 
efforts. Napoleon, in a brief but decisive campaign, made 
himself muster of Vienna ; and though his army met a 
severe check at Asperne, he soon after obtained a decisive 
victory at YVagram, which prostrated the Austrian empire 
at his feet. 

17. But while this contest remained as yet doubtful, the 
English were fast retrieving their tarnished honour in the 
peninsula. Sir Arthur Wellesley was sent again to the 
scenes of his former glory, and succeeded in expelling the 
French from Oporto, and several other acquisitions which 
they had made in Portugal after the retreat of sir John 
Moore. He even advanced into Spain, and obtained a bril¬ 
liant victory at Talavera; but being unsupported by the 
Spanish authorities, he was obliged to relinquish his con¬ 
quests. and terminate the campaign without obtaining any 
decisive advantage. For the skill and bravery, however, 
which had been displayed at Talavera, sir Arthur Wellesley 
was jlevated to the peerage with the title of vis< ount Wei 
lington. 

18. To create a diversion in favour of Austria, an expedi 
tbn was sent to the coast of Holland, under the commar.d 
of the earl of Chatham and sir Richard Strachan. The 
fortress of Flushing and the island of Walcheren were 
yubdued ; but the unhealthiness of the climate forced the 
vcw^uerors to evacuate these acquisitions after the sacrifice 


HISTORY OK rNCJI.AM). 


412 

of many valuable lives. It must be confessed that the 
unfortunate enterprise was badly conceived and badly ex( - 
?.uted ; the armament did not reach the coast of Holland 
until Austria had been irretrievably ruined ; and the main 
objects of the expedition, the destruction of the French 
.^.eet in the Scheldt, and the occupation of Antwerp, were 
scarcely attempted. 

19. There were, however, some gallant exploits per- 
ormed during the year by the British navy, which contri¬ 
buted to maintain the national courage. A French squadron 
lying in Basque Roads was attacked by lords Gambicr 
and Cochrane ; four ships of the line and three frigates 
were burned, and several others disabled. Lord Collingwood 
destroyed, in the bay of Rossa, three sail of the line, two 
frigates, and twenty transports. Sir James Saumarez cap¬ 
tured a Russian convoy in the Baltic ; and several important 
islands were wrested from the French in the West Indies. 

20. At home the attention of the public was directed, in 
no ordinary degree, to a parliamentary investigation into 
the conduct of his royal highness the duke of York, as 
commander-in-chief. After a laborious inquiry, the royal 
duke was acquitted by a great majority, but he deemed it 
right to resign his situation immediately after. On the 25th 
of October, a jubilee was celebrated with great splendour 
through the kingdom on account of his majesty’s having 
entered the fiftieth year of his reign. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What was the condition of Spain at this time ? 

2. What were the consequences of Godoy’s proceedings? 

3. How did Napoleon act under these circumstances? 

4. In what maimer were the Spanish king and prince treated by their ally 

5. Did the Spanish people show their indignation ? 

6. Were any triumphs obtained by the Spanish patriots ? 

7 What was the situation of Portugal at this tune ? 

h. How was the intelligence of these events received in England* 

9 In what manner did sir A. Wellesley commence his victorious career in 
the peninsula ? 

10 How were the fruits of his victory lost ? 

11 What was the convention of Cintra ? 

12 To what expedition was sir John Moore appointed ? 

13 With what difficulties had he to struggle ? 

14 How was he compelled to retreat ? 

15 By what means was the embarkation of the army secured ? 

16- What success had the Austrians in their new war against Franco 
f or what victory was sir A. Welleslev raised to the peerage? 

18 In what unfortunate expedition did the English engage ? 

19 Was this loss compensated by any victories? 

*0 What delicate, investigation took place in England 



GEORGE III. 


413 


SECTION XI 

Unin)>f let eo -li Briton j>xn, 

Courageously ativaiuV; 

W ♦■’!i liiifflr' every va■ ir der-ien. 

And clieck the pudc ol Eiiiuco. — E Thompson 

1. (A.D. 1810.) The peace with Austria enabled Napo 
lenn to send fresh armies into the peninsula, and the patriots 
sustained a series of reverses which seemed to have decided 
the fate of Spain. But it was not in the regular Held of 
battle that the hostilities of the Spaniaids were most to be 
dreaded; their bands of guerillas, that cut olf all stragglers, 
intercepted convoys, and harassed every march, were more 
formidable than any regular army that could be assembled. 
The presence of the British in Portugal was justly deemed 
the principal impediment to the tranquillity of the French 
in Spain ; and Napoleon, therefore, despatched Massena 
with overwhelming forces to expel the British from the 
entire peninsula. The French ruler deemed himself at this 
time secure on the side of Germany, ft r he had married 
the archdutchess Maria Louisa, the daughter of the emperor 
of Austria, having previously divorced Josephine, the faith¬ 
ful companion of all his fortunes. 

2. On the approach of Massena, lord Wellington deter¬ 
mined to act on the defensive, and resisted every temptation 
to abandon this cautious line of policy. He retreated lei¬ 
surely before the enemy until attacked at Busaco, when he 
turned on his pursuers, ami inflicted on them a severe de- 
feat. His lordship then continued his retreat to the impreg¬ 
nable lines of 'Forres Vedras, where he determined to remain 
until famine should compel Massena to retire. Nothing 
could exceed the astonishment of the French marshal, who 
firmly believed that the British were retreating to their 
ships, when he found them halted in a position which ii 
would have been madness to attack : he was at once reduced 
to inactivity, and forced to spend the rest of the campaign 
in watching the English lines. 

3. While the wai thus lingered, the death of the princess 
Amelia, the favourite daughter of the king, spread a gloom 
over the royal family, and brought on a return of that ma¬ 
lady bv which his majesty had been previously attacked 
The remainder of his life was spent in a state of mental 
imbecilitv, and the government of the country was thence¬ 
forth intrusted to the prince of Wales, who acted a? regent. 

4. A little before this event, a strange revolution took p' jet- 
in Sweden the king was deposed, ind his family excluded 

2 M 2 


J14 


HISTORY m- ENGI.AND. 


from the throne; his uncle was elected in his stead, and as 
he was childless* the succession was settled on Ghaiks 
John Bernadotte, one of Napoleon’s generals. 

5. (A.l). 1811.) The ability displayed by lord Welling!*’® 
in selecting the lines of Torres Vedras, and the patience 
with which he waited the progress of events in that formi¬ 
dable position, received at length their merited reward. 
Hunger and disease made more havoc in the French army 
than the sword, and Massena soon found that nothing but 
instant retreat could save him from destruction. In this 
retrograde movement the French marshal fully maintained 
his former character for talent; but in every other respect 
his conduct merits the universal reprobation of posterity. 
Every crime to which lust and rapine could prompt an un¬ 
principled soldiery, was committed with impunity; the 
claims of age or sex afforded no protection from murderous 
outrage; mangled corpses and smoking ruin marked the 
tract by which these ruffian-warriors retreated from the land 
where their hopes had been baffled and their pride tamed 
6. After this success, the campaign lingered without any 
very decisive operation. An attempt was made to recovei 
Badajoz, which the Spaniards had surrendered to the French 
under very disgraceful circumstances. Soult advanced to 
relieve the place, and was engaged by general Beresford at 
Albuera. The battle was fierce and bloody ; the English 
purchased their victory at a very dear rate, and their losses 
were so great that they were unable to continue the siege 
which they had undertaken. Massena, to recover his lost 
fame, attacked the English at Fuentes d’Honore, but met 
with a severe repulse ; he was soon after recalled, and Mar- 
mont appointed in his stead. 7. The management of the 
Spanish armies continued to be intrusted to men, foi the 
most part, ignorant of the first rudiments of their profession. 
They were frequently defeated in the course of the cam¬ 
paign ; but they were incapable of being instructed even by 
adversity. The English, under general Graham, obtained 
a brilliant victory at Barossa; but the obstinacy and igno¬ 
rance of their allies prevented them from reaping the Tuit 
of their success. 

8. (A.D. 1812.) The restrictions which had beer im¬ 
posed on the prince-regent being removed, it was expected 
that some important changes would be made in the adminis¬ 
tration ; none, however, took place at that time ; but a sad 
event in the middle of the year produced a new modification 


GEORGE III. 


413 


in the ministry. The premier, Mr. Percival, was assassin¬ 
ated in the lobby of the house of commons by a merchant 
named Bellingham, who fancied that his just claims had 
been neglected by government. The murderer was tried at 
the Old Bailey, and executed ; but he seemed to feel little 
remorse for the horrid crime which he had committed. 
Lord Liverpool was appointed first lord of the treasury, and 
Mr. Vansittart chancellor of the exchequer, in the room of 
the deceased minister. 

9. Marmont was even a less successful rival of lord 
Wellington than his predecessor Masscna; the important 
fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz were besieged 
and stormed before the French marshal could move to their 
relief, and the forts erected to secure the fords of the Douro 
were taken almost in his presence. The two armies were 
several days within sight of each other near Salamanca, 
without coming to a general engagement: the forces were 
nearly equal, and the leaders anxiously waited to take ad¬ 
vantage of any blunder that might be made by their oppo¬ 
nents. At length Marmont made an injudicious movemen 4 
to his left, in hopes to cut off the British from Ciudad 
Rodrigo; his line was thus necessarily weakened, and 
Wellington instantly seized the opportunity to make his 
attack. The consequence was the total rout of the French, 
with the loss of fourteen thousand men, killed, wounded, 
and prisoners. The number of killed and wounded, on the 
part of the victors, scarcely exceeded five thousand. 

10. Naturally expecting that the intelligence of this glo¬ 
rious victory would stimulate the Spaniards to more vigorous 
exertions ; and relying on the promise of the British ministry 
to cieate a powerful diversion, by sending an expedition 
from Sicily to the south-eastern coast of Spain, Wellington* 
who had been lately created an earl, resolved to advance 
into the centre of Spain, and drive the enemy from the 
capital. This brilliant and hazardous enterprise succeeded ; 
the English were received with enthusiasm in Madrid, and 
joy was diffused throughout the entire peninsula. 11. But 
the hopes which were thus inspired proved delusive, the 
Spaniards made no exertion to second the efforts for their 
.iberation ; Ballasteros, one of their generals, refused to re¬ 
ceive instructions from a foreigner; the force sent from 
Sicily was, by some blunder of the British ministry, late 

i time and miserable in amount; the French were, there¬ 
fore enabled to threaten Wellington with armies three times 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 



410 


Constitution an * Guerriere. 

more numerous than his own. Under these circumstances* 
the English general resolved to transfer the scene of his 
operations to the north of Spain ; but having failed in an 
attack on Burgos, he was compelled to retire to the frontiers 
of Portugal. During the retreat, the British soldiers sullied 
their laurels by several outrages, which were severely re¬ 
prehended by Wellington, and measures taken for their pre¬ 
vention in future. 

12. In the mean time the ambition of Napoleon had 
hurried him into a war with Russia, which, though success¬ 
ful in the outset, ended in lamentable ruin. The French 
army advanced in spite of every resistance to Moscow, the 
ancient capital of the kingdom, but there their triumphs 
ended. The Russians set fire to the city ; the invaders, de 
prived of quarters, were forced to retreat; a severe winter 
set in, cold and famine destroyed them by thousands, and 
only a miserable relic of the finest army which had e T er 
been assembled in Europe escaped across the frontiers. 

13. Some unfortunate disputes between the government 
of Great Britain and the United States led to a war between 
two countries, which similarity of language and ancient 
connexion ought to have kept for ever in amity. The 
Americans unsuccessfully invaded Canada, but at sea their 
frigates obtained some signal triumphs over British vessels. 
The fiist of this series of victories was the capture of the 













GEORGE III. 42 7 

British frigate Guerriere, by the American frigate Constitu 
lion, commanded by captain Hull. 

14. (A. I). 1813.) The Spanish Cortes became at length 
convinced of tbe necessity of giving the command of their 
armies to the British general, and a complete change in the 
fortunes of the war followed this judicious measure. By a 
series of brilliant operations, the French were driven from 
their several positions on the Ebro and the Douro, com¬ 
pelled to abandon the capital, and at length reduced to the 
alternative of abandoning the country, or fighting a pitched 
battle to preserve their conquests. Joseph adopted the 
latter course, and drew up his forces near Vittoria, which 
had been made the French depot in the northern provinces. 
In this position he was attacked by lord Wellington, on the 
21st of June, and after a severe contest utterly overthrown. 
The artillery, baggage, and military chest of the fugitives, 
fell into the hands of the victors ; and so complete was 
the rout, that the remnants of the defeated army scarcely 
deemed themselves safe until they had escaped beyond the 
frontier. Before pursuing them into France, it was neces¬ 
sary to reduce the fortresses of St. Sebastian and 1'ampe- 
luna, which were immediately invested. The former, after 
a frightful loss, was taken bv storm ; the latter surrendered 
some time after by capitulation. 

15. The reverses of the French in the north of Europe 
were equally signal. Prussia and Sweden joined their 
armies to Russia; Austria subsequently joined the alliance, 
and their united forces obtained a decisive victory over those 
of the French emperor at Leipsic. The retreat of the de 
feated army was disastrous in the extreme ; the Germans 
everywhere joined the pursuers, and after suffering the 
most severe calamities, Napoleon’s army was driven across 
the Rhine, ami it became evident that the next campaign 
would commence with the invasion of France both on her 
eastern and western frontier. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 How was Bonaparte enabled to give his undivided attention to the affai. 

of the peninsula ? 

2 In what manner did Wellington act ? 

3. What remarkable event took place at this time in England 

4. Did any revolution take place in Sweden \ 

5. How did Massena conduct his retreat from Torres VeUrasT 
6 Were there any other remarkable events in the campaign ? 



HISTORY GF ENGLAND 


*18 

7. How did the Spanish government behave ? 

8 Whai event caused a change of ministry in England? 

9 What great victory did Wellington gain over Marmont ? 

10 How did Wellington endeavour to improve his triumph? 

11. By w hat circumstances were Wellington’s hopes frustrated ? 

12. In what new war did Bonaparte engage ? 

13 What new enemy assailed the English? 

11. What great victory did Wellington gain over Joseph Bonaparte? 
15. Did Napoleon meet any other reverses l 


SECTION XII. 

Oh, more or less than man—in high or low, 

Battling with tuitions. Hying from the field ; 

Now making monarch's necks thy mutstool, now 
More than thy meanest soldier taught to yield.— Byron. 

I. (A. D. 1813.) The operations of the allied armies In 
the south-eastern provinces of Spain were singularly ill* 
conducted. Sir John Murray, to whose guidance they 
were intrusted, proved totally unfit for his situation. Me 
precipitately commenced the siege of Tarragona, and then 
abandoned his works and guns with still more disgraceful 
rapidity ; after which he returned to a state of inactivity 
2. But the vigour of Wellington more than atoned for these 
deficiencies ; he crossed the Bidassoa in October, and on 
the 10th of November defeated Soult’s army on the Nivellt 
^A. I). 1814.) Winter did not interrupt the operations of 
the armies. Soult, continually pushed by the British forces, 
assumed a strong position at Orth.es, from which he was 
driven with severe loss, and Bordeaux was consequently 
exposed to the invading army. In the mean time the duke 
d’Angouleme, the representative of the ancient line of French 
monarchs, had arrived in Wellington’s camp; to him the 
inhabitants of Bordeaux opened their gates, and received 
with the utmost enthusiasm the descendant of their former 
kings. 3. Wellington, pursuing his victorious career, again 
defeated Soult at Toulous *; but while preparing to follow 
up his victory, news arrived from Paris that Napoleon had 
abdicated, and that the war was at an end. 

4. In January, 1814, the allied armies had crossed the 
Rhine, and advanced into the heart of France; negotiations 
for peace were indeed commenced at Ohatillon, but the in 
sincerity which marked the conduct of the French commis¬ 
sioners prevented them from coming to any conclusion. 
Napoleon’s great object was to recover Holland, which had 
achieved its independence after the battle of Leipsic, by the 
aid of England, and had recalled the stadtholder to his 
ancient dominions. The French emperor had strong hopes 



GEORGE HI. 


419 

that one great victory would restore him to his former pre 
eminence. 5. Never in his proudest anil most palmy days 
did Napoleon display more energy and ability than in this 
his time of difficulty; but he had beaten bis enemies into 
the art of conquering. While he was mameuvring in theii 
rear, the Prussians and Austrians made a rush on Paris, 
wlv.ch fell almost without resistance. On the 6th of .April, 
Bonaparte signed the instrument of abdication, and Louis 
XVIII. was recalled from exile to ascend the throne of bis 
ancestors. The fallen emperor received the island of Elba 
as an independent sovereignty ; the dutchies of Parma and 
Placentia were settled on his wife and son. 

6. 'Phe return of peace was celebrated with general re¬ 
joicings throughout England ; and the metropolis was illu¬ 
minated during three successive nights. Immediately after, 
the emperor of Russia, the king of Prussia, and a numerous 
train of other distinguished foreigners came over to England, 
and met a most magnificent reception. After a short but 
gratifying visit, they returned to the continent, leaving 
behind a favourable impression of their urbanity, and of the 
respect they showed for the institutions of this country. 

7. The American war was soon after terminated ; the 
triumphs and losses on both sides were nearly balanced by 
land, but the superiority of American courage and discipline 
at sea was made clearly manifest in every engagement, in 
which ships of equal force on both sides were opposed to 
each other. 'Phe treaty of peace was not signed before 
December, 1814. 

8. (A.I). J815.) A congress of ambassadors from the 
kadingjpowers of Europe had assembled at Vienna to settle 
the state of the continent, when they were astounded by 
intelligence which threatened to render all their deliberations 
useless. Bonaparte, wearied of his exile, and invited by 
numerous partisans in France, sailed from Elba, and having 
escaped the vigilance of the cruisers, landed once more in 
the country which had so long acknowledged his sway. 9. 
The army everywhere declared in his favour; no effectual 
resistance was attempted; Louis, with a few friends, escaped 
beyond the Belgian frontier; and in an incredibly short time 
Bonaparte once more ascended the imperial throne. The 
allied sovereigns took immediate measures to dethrone an 
usurper whom experience had shown to be the common 
disturber of nations, and a violator of the faith of treaties; 
and preparations were made for a second invasion of France 


42U 1IISTOKY UF ENGLAND 



Battle of Waterloo. 


10- The English and Prussians began rapidly to concen¬ 
trate their forces in the newly formed kingdom of Belgium, 
when Bonaparte, trusting to that activity which had before 
produced so many triumphs, determined to become the as¬ 
sailant, and rapidly advanced against the Prussians. After 
a severe contest, Blucher was forced to retire from Ligny ; 
but he accomplished his retreat in good order, and left no 
trophy to the enemy but the field of battle. This caused a 
corresponding movement in the English forces, which had 
advanced to Quatre-bras, and fought a furious but indecisive 
battle with the enemy. Wellington halted his troops on the 
memorable plains of Waterloo, and rode across the country 
to Blucher, in order to concert a plan for their mutual 
operations. 

11. On the 18th of June was fought the memorable battle 
which may be said to have decided the fate of Europe. 
Napoleon, believing the Prussians completely broken, hoped, 
by forcing the British lines, to open a passage to Brussels, 
and then overwhelm the allies in detail : the object of the 
duke of Wellington was to maintain his ground until the 
arrival of the Prussians should give him a decided supeii- 
ority over his opponents. The efforts of the French to 
force the British positions were met with most undaunted 
firmness; the tire of an immense park of artillery, the 
charges of the cuirassiers, the attacks of immense columns! 



GEORfJR III. 


421 


frih d to break any of the squares whieh tne English had 
formed ; and at length, when night approached, the heads 

of the Prussian columns were seen advancing 1 to share in 

( * 

the combat. Napoleon assembled his guards for one last 
and desperate effort ; but instead of heading them himself 
he gave the command to marshal Ney. The English wings, 
which had rather declined from the field at the commence’ 
nientof the fight, had, after the defeat of the former chaiges, 
gradually come forward, until they formed a concave front 
to the French. They now poured a dreadful storm of 
musketry on the heads of the advancing columns ; the im¬ 
perial guards were unable to deploy into line under the 
heavy fire ; they made the attempt and fell into confusion 
At this moment the duke of Wellington gave the word to 
charge, the soldiers rushed forward with resistless impetu¬ 
osity ; some battalions, which Ney had rallied, were broken 
in an instant ; it was no longer a battle, but a rout. The 
Prussians, who were comparatively fresh, continued the 
pursuit, and the army of Napoleon was virtually annihilated. 

12. The victorious armies now advanced towards Paris 
without meeting any serious obstacle. On the 22d of lime, 
Napoleon once more abdicated the throne, and fled to the 
sea-coast, in hopes of making his escape to America But 
finding that it was impossible to baffle tbe vigilance of the 
English cruisers, he surrendered himself to captain Mait¬ 
land, of the Bellerophon, and was conveyed, with his retinue 
to an English harbour. When the allies were informed of 
this event, they decided that he should be sent as a prisoner 
to the island of St. Helena, in the southern Atlantic, and 
there detained under the strictest observation. In this little 
island the illustrious exile died on the 5th of Mav. 1821. 

13. Louis XVIII. was restored to his throne without op¬ 
position : a few of Napoleon’s most zealous partisans, of 
whom the chief were marshal Ney and colonel I.abedoyere 
suffered the penalties of treason ; but the greater part of 
the delinquents escaped with impunity. The long wars 
which had distracted western and central Europe were now 
terminated, and a tranquillity, promising to be of long dura 
tion, was established. 


Questions for Examination. 

J IIow were operations conducted in the soulh of Spain t 

2 Did Wellington obtain any success in France ? 

3 Whv was not the victory at Toulouse followed lipf 

2 N 



422 


HFKTORY OF F.NGLANI> 


What operations were undertaken at the north-east side of Francel 

5. How v as the war terminated ? 

6. In what manner was the return of peace celebrated in England 1 

7. How was ihe American war terminated ' 

8. Bv what news was the congress at Vienna disturbed t 
9 Did Napoleon again become master of Franee ? 

10 How was the war recommenced ? 

I" What particulars of the battle of Waterloo are mentioned 
12 What became of Bonaparte? 

13. Hjw was the war finally ended? 


SECTION NIIL 

Th(« deeds of those chiefs who fell covered with glory 
Soil beam on our record of triumphs and tears; 

While ihe memory of Nelson and Waterloo’s story 
Are blended by fame with the fall of Algiers.— Mtzstrald 

1. (A. D. 1816.) It had been hoped, rather than expected 
that the exertions made by the people in the different Euio* 
pean nations to overthrow the power of Napoleon, would 
have been rewarded by the sovereigns conceding to them 
free constitutions. But the monarchs, terrified at the evils 
which the French revolution had produced, were firmly 
resolved to extend rather than abridge the royal authority. 

2. The restored king of Spain, whose slavish weakness 
had been the first cause of his own imprisonment and his 
kingdom’s degradation, treated with the greatest ingratitude 
those whose blood had been shed like water to effect his 
restoration. The inquisition was revived, and every despotic 
custom, which made the government of Spain infamous, 
and the country miserable, were re-established in fuli force. 
The Spaniards, who entertained liberal opinions, and who 
had been the most zealous opponents of the French power, 
were bitterly persecuted, and either brought to the scaffold 
oi driven into exile. 

3. This aspect of affairs by no means contributed to allay 
the dissatisfaction which pervaded Britain at the termination 
of the war. The channels of trade, which were only opened 
by a long course of warfare, were suddenly closed ; the 
manufacturers had no demand for their goods, the prices of 
agricultural produce were seriously diminished, and all the 
evils which attend a sudden transition from war to peace 
weie felt the more sensibly on account of the tremendous 
addition which the expenditure requisite to support such un 
paralleled exertions had made to the national debt. 

4. The marriage of the princess Charlotte of Wales, with 
Leopold, prince of Saxe-Cobourg, and that of the duke of 
Gloucester, with lus cousin the princess Mary, for a time 



GEORGE III 


423 


averted the gloom which seemed fast spreading over the 
nation ; and a brilliant victory obtained by lord Exmoutb 
over the Algerines, diverted public attention from intestine 
calamities. 5. Though Algiers was defended by 1000 
pieces of cannon, it could not resist the intrepidity of Bri- 
tisn seamen ; its defences were destroyed, its fleet burned 
in the harbour, and at length, to save it from total destruc¬ 
tion, the dey offered terms of peace. He was pardoned on 
the conditions of liberating the Christian slaves, more than a 
thousand of whom were received on board the British fleet; 
of abolishing slavery for ever in his dominions; *md making 
reparation to the powers who had been the more immediate 
objects of his barbarous aggressions. 

6. (A.l). 1817.) But even naval glory, always the most 
pleasing to Englishmen, failed to allay the discontents that 
pervaded the lower ranks of society ; alarming riots oc¬ 
curred in many parts .of the kingdom, and meetings were 
held in the metropolis, where the most threatening discourses 
were pronounced. The parliament in this crisis passed 
laws to increase the powers of government, especially the 
suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, and several of the 
popular leaders were arrested. Some were brought to trial 
in London, and acquitted ; but in Derby several were found 
guilty, and suffered the penalties of high-treason, which had 
not been inflicted for seventy years before. These vigorous 
measures, followed bv a revival of commerce, and an im¬ 
proved harvest, restored public tranquillity ; but the gloom 
which hung over the nation was not dispelled, and a new 
event, served to deepen it still further. 7. The princess 
Charlotte of Wales, the pride and darling of England, died, 
with her child, who would have been heir-apparent to the 
throne. Never was grief more universal—tiever was a 
nation’s sorrow so deeply felt, and so generally manifested 
The day of the funeral was voluntarily observed as a day 
of fasting and humiliation throughout the three kingdoms; 
and a stranger, witnessing the affliction on every counte¬ 
nance, might have supposed that every family in the realms 
had been deprived of one of its most beloved members. 

8. (A.D. 1818.) To supply the chasm which this larnen 
table event had occasioned in the succession to the crown, 
several of the royal family formed matrimonial alliances. 
'Ihe dukes of Cambridge, Kent, and Clarence, and the prin¬ 
cess Elizabeth were united to branches of different princely 
families in Germany, and such an increase was made in 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


m 

their revenues by parliament as might enable them to sup 
port tne additional expenses which they necessarily incurred. 
These arrangements had not been long concluded, when 
the royal family suffered a second loss by the death of queen 
Charlotte, who expired at Kew, on the 17th of November, 
in the seventy-fifth year of her age 

9. (A.D. 1819.) The extensive colonies which Spain 
had recently possessed in South America, wearied by the 
tyranny to which they had been subjected, threw off the 
yoke, and commenced a successful struggle for indepen 
deuce. The king of Spain, however, imagined that their 
subjugation was still possible, and assembled an army at 
Cadiz, in the isle of Leon, to form an expedition against 
the revolted provinces. But the soldiers who had been thus 
collected to crush the rising freedom of America, disap¬ 
pointed the hopes of their despotic sovereign. 10. * They 
unanimously refused to embark ; and directing their attention 
to the miserable condition of their own country, they demand¬ 
ed the establishment of a free constitution, which Ferdinand 
was compelled to concede. Similar revolutions subsequently 
took place in Portugal, Naples, and Piedmont; but in the 
two latter countries the old despotic governments were 
restored by the Austrians, who have ever been strongly 
opposed to liberal institutions. 

11. The public mind in England continued to be agitated 
by projects for effecting reform in parliament, and other 
changes in the constitution. Public meetings, attended by 
immense multitudes, were held in different parts of the 
country. One in particular, at Manchester, was attended 
with lamentable consequences. The magistrates having 
determined to arrest the leaders, especially Mr. Hunt, sent 
a party of yeomanry to aid the officers of police ; unfortu¬ 
nately, in passing through the immense assembly, some 
confusion took place, which led to a serious affray; several 
of the multitude were killed, and a still greater number 
wounded by the sabres of the yeomanry, or severely crushed. 
Hunt and his friends were taken into custody on a charge 
of high-treason ; but this was soon abandoned, and they 
were ordered to find bail on a charge of sedition. 12. This 
event produced great diversity of opinion, and very angry 
debates within and without the walls of parliament; but the 
sentiments of government were expressed unequivocally in 

* These events did not take place until the following year; but are places 
acre to preserve the continuity of the narrative. 


GEORGE III 


425 


a letter of thanks addressed to the magistrates and yeomanry 
of Manchester, for their prompt and spirited conduct. At 
the following assizes the grand jury threw out the bills 
charging the yeomanry with murder ; but Hunt and his 
associates, being found guilty of sedition, were sentenced to 
different periods of imprisonment. Sir Francis Burdett 
also, who had denounced the conduct of the magistrates and 
the ministry in very severe terms, in a letter addressed to 
his constituents, was brought to trial, and found guilty of a 
libel on ins majesty’s government. Finally, parliament was 
assembled in tne end of the year, and six restrictive acts 
passed for the prevention of seditious meetings, for prohi¬ 
biting naming and arming, for checking blasphemous and 
seditious writings, and to impose a tax on cheap periodical 
publications. 

18. (A. 1). 1320.) On the 2Sd of January, his royal 
highness the duke of Kent died at Sidmouth, in the 58d 
year of his age, leaving behind him an only daughter, 
the princess Victoria Augusta, now the presumptive inheritor 
of che British throne. On the 29th of the same month, 
George Ill. died at Windsor Castle, at the advanced age 



Windsor Castle. 

of eighly-one, atler a reign of fifty-nine years seven monihs 
and three days; the longest and most memorable in the an. 
n*ls of England. We are still too near the times in which 
this event occurred, and too much swayed by the opinions 
and prejudices resulting from personal feelings, to draw an 
impartial character of this venerable sovereign. But what* 
ever diversity of opinion there may be respecting the politics 
of *ho monarch, none can deny the virtues ol the man; 

2 n2 




























426 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


amiable, merciful, benevolent, he was an affectionate hi9 
band, a tender father, and a faithful friend ; no prouder epi 
taph needs to be inscribed upon his tomb.* 

Questions for Examination. 

j. In what manner were the hopes of the people of Europe disap 

pointed ? 

2. How did the restored king of Spain behave ? 

3. What was the state of England after the war ? ... 

4. By what circumstances were the hopes of the people raised? 

5. What victory was obtained at Algiers ? 

6. How did government endeavour to check the progress of sedition 3 

7. What fatal event tilled the nation with sadness ? 

8. Did any other remarkable circumstance occur in the royal family ? 

9. What colonies revolted against the parent state ? 

10. How was a constitution established in tepain ? 

11. What unfortunate circumstance took place at Manchester? 

12. What were the consequences of this event ? 

13. What deaths took place in the royal family ? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

A. D. 

Clement XIV.1769 

Pius VI.1775 

Pius VII.1800 

Emperors of Germany. 

Joseph II.1765 

Leopold.1790 

Francis II.1792 

Assumed the title of em¬ 
peror of Austria.1804 

Emperors of the Turks. 

Mustapha III.1757 

Achmet IV.1774 

Selim III.1789 

Mahmoud II.1808 


Emperors and Empresses oj 
Russia. 

a* n» 


Peter III.1762 

Catharine II. 1763 

Paul I. 1797 

Alexander. 1801 

Sovereigns of France. 

Louis XVI...1774 

Republic.1793 

Napoleon consul.1799 

emperor.1804 

Louis XVIII. 1814 

Kings of Spain. 

Charles III.1759 

Charles IV.1788 

Ferdinand VII.1808 


* The following lines form part of a poetic tribute to the memory ol 
George III. from the pen of the Rev. George Croley. Some may con* 
eider them too laudatory; but the world is so accustomed to hearing Hat 
iery poured at the feet of Kings, that it wouid misunderstand a candid 
acknowledgement of their virtues, unless made in the grave style of 
history : 

Raise we his monument! what giant pile 
Shall honour him to far posterity ? 

His monument shall he his ocean-isle, 

The voice of his redeeming thunders be 
His epitaph upon the silver sea. 

And million spirits from whose neck he bore 
The fetter, and made soul and body free ; 

And unborn millions, from earth’s farthest shore, 

Shall bless the Christian King till the last sun '8 o’or. 






























GEORGE IV. 


427 


Queen and King of Portugal. 

A. D. 


Maria .1777 

John VI. . ... 

Kings of Prussia. 

Frederick II.1740 

Frederick III .1786 

Frederick IV.1707 

Kings of Poland. 

Stanislaus.1786 

Augustus IV.1786 


A. D. 

Divided between Russia, 
Prussia, and Germany. 1793 

Kings of Denmark 


Christian VII. 17.76 

Frederick VI.1808 

Kings of Sweden. 

Gustavus III.1772 

Gustavus IV. 1792 

Charles XIII.1809 

Charles XIV.1618 


For a list of those persons, who, during this long reign, distinguished 
themselves in the literary, clerical, political, naval, military, or mercantile 
worlds, we refer the reader to Chapter XI., in which many illustrious 
names will be lound arranged under different heads. Indeed, among so 
many, it isdiHicult to draw a line between those without which our work 
would be incomplete, and those which are necessarily excluded by the 
want of space. 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 

GEORGE IV. 

Born 1762. Died 1830. Began to reign 1820. Reigned 10 years. 

SECTION II. 

No, sirs—my regal claim, my rightful crown, 

The honour’d tide of your sovereign's wife. 

No bribe shall e’er induce me to lay down. 

Nor force extort it, save but with my life. — F.ltham. 

1. (A. D. 1820.) The accession of a monarch, who had 
been actually in the possession of sovereign power for so 
many previous years, produced no important political 
changes. George IV. was publicly proclaimed on the 
31st of January in London and Westminster, and matters 
went on for some time in their ordinary course. On the 
23d of February, the metropolis was astounded by intelli¬ 
gence of a plot being discovered for the assassination of 
his majesty’s ministers. 2. The Cato-street conspiracy, 
is it was called, from the little street near the Edgeware 
rood, where the conspirators used to assemble, was planned 
bv Thistlewood, who had been before acquitted on a charge 
of treason, and some other men of desperate fortunes. 
Their design was to obtain, on some pretence, admission to 




















428 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


lord Harrowby’s, when the ministers were assembled at d 
cabinet dinner, and there murder the entire party. 3. Cut 
all their plans were betrayed to government by a spy, and a 
strong body of police, accompanied by a detachment of the 
guards, burst into their rendezvous at the moment that they 
were preparing for the execution of their designs. Alter 
some resistance, in which Smithers, a police officer, was 
killed, they were overpowered, and the greater part made 
prisoners ; Thistlewood made his escape, but was subse¬ 
quently taken at a house in Moorfields. Such was the 
poverty and misery of these wretched madmen, who pro¬ 
posed to subvert a powerful government, that when they 
were searched, not even a shilling was found among the 
whole party. Thejr were soon after brought to trial: This¬ 
tlewood and four others were executed, some more trans¬ 
ported, and government, satisfied with these examples, gave 
up the prosecution against the rest. 4. Preparations w r ere 
now commenced for the coronation of his majesty, when 
they were suddenly suspended by an event which excited 
more public interest and more angry feelings than any other 
that had occurred for a long period. This was the return 
of queen Caroline to England, and her subsequent trial be¬ 
fore the house of lords—matters over which the historian 
would willingly cast a veil, but which are far too important 
to be omitted. 

5. We have already mentioned the formal separation be¬ 
tween the prince of Wales and his consort, soon after their 
marriage ; some years after, her conduct was made the sub¬ 
ject of a secret investigation, which, after a long and dis¬ 
gusting inquiry, terminated in her acquittal. After being 
subject to such an indignity, the unfortunate princess quitted 
England, and spent her time in travelling, especially in 
visiting the most celebrated spots on the coasts of the Me¬ 
diterranean. She visited Jerusalem, and several other 
towns of Palestine, and afterwards took up her residence in 
that part of Italy which is subject to the Austrian emperor. 
Reports very injurious to her character began to be circulated, 
and a secret commission of eminent lawyers was sent out 
to Milan to investigate their truth. 

6. On the king’s accession to the throne, the evidence 
collected by the Milan commission was made the pretext 
for omitting the queen’s name in the liturgy; and at the 
same time the honours due to her rank were refused by 
foreign powers. Deeply irritated, at these insults, she de- 


GEORGE IV. 


429 

termined to return to England, though aware that her land¬ 
ing would be the signal for the commencement of a rigorous 
prosecution, and though she had been offered an annuity of 
fifty thousand pounds on condition of her remaining abroad. 
7. She landed at Dover on the 5th of June, and was re¬ 
ceived with the greatest enthusiasm by the populace. Equal 
honours were paid to her along the road to the metropolis, 
anil her reception in London was still more gratifying. 

8. On the very day of the queen’s arrival in London, a 
message was sent to both houses of parliament, requesting 
that her conduct should be made the subject of investigation, 
and that the evidence collected at Milan should be taken 
into consideration. Some delay was occasioned by an use¬ 
less effort of the house of commons to effect a compromise: 
this having failed, “ a bill of pains and penalties,” to deprive 
the queen of her rights and dignities, and to divorce her 
from her husband, was introduced into the lords. 9. The 
trial soon commenced, and lasted forty-five days, after which 
the bill was read a second time by a majority of twenty- 
eight ; but on the third reading, the ministers could only 
command a majority of nine, and the bill was therefore 
abandoned. 

10. During these proceedings, the agitation of the public 
mind knew no bounds ; cavalcade after cavalcade was seen 
proceeding out to Hammersmith, where the queen resided, 
with addresses containing the warmest expressions of affec¬ 
tion for herself, and hatred of her opponents ; the press 
teemed with virulent libels on all who were conspicuous in 
either party; disunion even reached the domestic circle, and 
the question of the queen’s guilt or innocence was debated 
furiously in every society and in every family within the 
British seas. The abandonment of the bill was hailed by 
the queen’s friends as a complete acquittal, and their delight 
was testified by a pretty general illumination, though it 
must be confessed that many who exhibited this outward 
sign of joy were forced to the display through dread of 
popular violence. 

11. (A. D. 1821.) The heats and animosities produced 
by the queen’s trial continued to rage with unabated fury 
through the remainder of the life of that unhappy lady ; it 
was even supposed that tne rejection of her claim to par¬ 
ticipate in the coronation would have led to some serious 
commotion. But that august ceremony was performed 
without interruption ; the queen, indeed, presented herself 


430 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


at the doors of Westminster Abbey, and was refused ad¬ 
mittance, but no serious display of popular displeasure 
followed. 12. 'This last event produced a fatal eflect on 
her health, which had been long declining; and her death, 
which followed soon after, was generally attributed to a 
1 roken heart. The fatality which attended this unfortunate 
woman seemed to follow her very remains. Her funeral 
was a scene of outrage and violence. It had been intended 
that the procession should not pass through the metropolis ; 
but the populace attacked the military escort, and alter some 
loss of life succeeded in forcing away the hearse ; the fu¬ 
neral array then passed through the city to Whitechapel, 
where the corpse was restored to the constituted authorities, 
and then allowed to pass quietly to Harwich, whence it was 
transferred to Brunswick, to repose with the ashes of her 
illustrious ancestors. 

13. Immediately after the coronation, his majesty paid 
a visit to Dublin, and was received by the Irish people 
with a burst of loyal affection such as was probably never 
before witnessed. After a short visit, he embaiked at 
Kingstown in the presence of a countless multitude, who 
rent trie air with acclamations, and with blessings on the 
head of the first English sovereign who had visited Ireland 
without hostile intentions. Shortly after his return, the 
king made an excursion to Hanover, the cradle of his race; 
and after a brief stay returned to England. 

14. Great distress was experienced throughout the British 
islands by the depreciation of agricultural produce, and con* 
sequent difficulty of paying rents. In Ireland, the mutual 
discontents of the land-hulders and peasantry led to several 
outrages on the part of the latter, perfectly disgraceful to a 
civilized country. By a little vigorous exertion, however, 
these violences were repressed, and comparative tranquillity 
restored. The distress of the lower classes, which indeed 
almost exceeded credibility, was relieved by a general and 
generous subscription in England, which arrested the pro¬ 
gress of a pestilential disease, produced by famine and 
distress. 


Questions for Examination, 

1. By what event were the minds of the people disturbed at the commence 
ment of the new reign ? 

2 What were the designs of the Cato street conspirators ? 

3 How were the plans of the conspirators defeated ? 






GEORGE IV. 


431 


4 

5. 

r, 

7 

8 . 

9 

10 

n 

12 

13 

11 . 


VVhat event ca-ised the coronation to be postponed 
I tow did the queen become exposed to suspicion? 

U i v\hat occasion were the effects of these suspicions manifested ? 

Mow was the queen receiveu m Kngland ? 

Wlmt measures were taken by the ministry ? 

How did the queen’s trial terminate ? 

'^ hat i e ^ nt:l tlus lamentable occurrence produce in the country ? 
Was the ceremony of the coronation disturbed ? 

Did any remarkable circumstances attend the queen’s death and burial 
How was the king received in Ireland ? 

Wtis any distress experienced in the country ? 


SECTION II. 

CM heard they but the avenging call 
Their brethren's murder gave; 

Dissension ne’er their ranks had mown, 

Nor patii.it valour, desperate grown. 

Sought reluge in the grave.— Scott. 

1. A time of profound peace furnishes but few incidents 
worthy of being recorded by the historian ; during such 
a period a nation is silently employed in improving its re¬ 
sources and repairing the injuries which had been inflicted 
by war on its finances. The unparalleled contest in which 
England had been so long engaged, imposed on her rulers a 
task of no ordinary difficulty ; the immense debt which had 
been accumulated, required a large taxation to pay its inter¬ 
est ; and though many exertions have been made to relieve 
the country from such pressure, no extensive reduction can 
reasonanly be expected for a very long period. (1822.) 2. 
After the termination of the parliamentary session, the king 
proceeded to visit the Scottish capital, and was received by 
his northern subjects with the utmost enthusiasm. The 
festivities were, however, soon interrupted by the melancholy 
news of the death of the marquis of Londonderry, the se¬ 
cretary for foreign affairs, who had committed suicide in a 
fit of temporary insanity. After an interval of more than a 
month, Mr. Canning was appointed his successor, and re¬ 
ceived the seals of office at a time when a minister possessing 
his talents and energy was most wanting to the country. 

,'J. The European sovereigns had entered into a league 
to check the progress of revolution, and chose to call then 
union the holy alliance. A congress was held at Verona, 
and a lesoiution taken to subvert the constitution, and restore 
despotism in Spain. The duke of Wellington, on the pari 
of England, refused to sanction the design, the execution of 
which was intrusted to the king of France. 4. (1823.) 
Early in the following year, the duke of Angouleme, at the 
head of a powerful army, entered Spain, and soon compelled 




432 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


the constitutionalists, wholly unprepared for resistance, to 
unqualified submission. Ferdinand, restored to the exer¬ 
cise of despotic power, persecuted all whom lie suspected 
of liberal principles with extreme severity, and revived all 
the cruel institutions by which the government of Spain 
lias leen so long disgraced, with even more than ordinary 
rigour. 

5. The feelings of the great majority of the English peo¬ 
ple were powerfully excited by this outrage on the liberties 
of a neighbouring nation ; but the ministers had determined to 
maintain a strict neutrality, though they severely condemned 
the principles and conduct of the French government. But 
while despotism was thus re-establishing its iron reign in 
Europe, freedom had obtained signal triumphs in America; 
the revolted colonies of Spain had now completed their 
emancipation, ami their independence was acknowledged by 
England and several oilier European powers. 

6. A sanguinary struggle for the liberation of Greece 
from the Turkish yoke had commenced some time previ 
ously, but had long produced no result but terrific massacres 
The principal members of the holy alliance viewed the 
insurrection of the Greeks with secret dislike ; but the 
sympathies of the greater part of the people of Europe 
were awakened in their favour, and several volunteers from 
England and other countries tendered their assistance to the 
insurgents. 7. (1824.) Lord Byron, whose poetry had 
created a powerful feeling in favour of the Greeks, proceeded 
to aid them by his personal exertions, but unfortunately fell 
a victim to a fever at Missolonghi, wi Western Greece. 

8. The British colonies in Africa and India were severely 
harassed by the assaults of barbarous enemies; in the 
former, the governor, sir C. M‘Carthy, was defeated, and 
cruelly murdered by the Ashantees ; but his death was sub¬ 
sequently avenged, and these savage warriors forced to 
ubmission. 9. In Hindostan, the Burmese were totally 
defeated, their strongest fortifications captured, and their 
territories placed at the mercy of the British troops ; they 
were consequently forced to solicit peace, which was granted 
on terms that tend greatly to increase the security of the 
British possessions in the East.. 

10. From the time that the union between England and 
Ireland had been effected, attempts were annually made foi 
the repeal of the remaining restrictive laws against the Ro¬ 
man catholics; repeated failures by no means diminished 


GEORGE IV. 


483 


.he hopes of the catholic leaders and their friends; and in 
(reland they formed a permanent association for the further¬ 
ance of their objects. (1825.) The members of the Catholic 
Association were not always very measured in their lan¬ 
guage, or temperate in their attacks on government, and it 
was judged expedient to suppress meetings which seemed 
pregnant with danger. 11. A bill for extending the law in 
Ireland against illegal societies was introduced into parlia¬ 
ment, and as it was expected that catholic emancipation would 
immediately follow, it passed with but little opposition 
This hope was, however, doomed to be disappointed, the 
catholic question was indeed carried in the lower house, but 
it was lost in the lords principally on account of the exertions 
made by his royal highness the duke of York. 

12. Speculations and joint-stock companies of every 
description had lately multiplied so fast, that the nation 
seemed infected with a species of insanity ; but the bubbles 
soon burst, and a terrible reaction ensued. The confusion 
of the money market, and the commercial embarrassments 
thus created, did not entirely disappear for the next two or 
three years. 

13. (A.D. 1826.) The state of Portugal, the oldest ally of 
England, began now to attract the attention of the public. 
On the death of John VI. the succession devolved on Don 
Pedro, who resided in Brazil ; he, however, satisfied with 
the imperial crown which he had acquired in South America, 
abdicated the Portuguese throne in favour of his daughter 
Donna Maria, and, to prevent any domestic commotion, 
betrothed her to his brother Don Miguel. Before taking 
this decisive step, he prepared a constitution, securing the 
blessings of civil and religious liberty to the Portuguese, 
who, unfortunately, could neither appreciate the one nor the 
other. 14. A strong party resolved to make Don Miguel 
absolute king, and under the secret sanction of the Spanish 
government, began to assemble forces on the frontiers. 
Under these circumstances, application was made to England 
for assistance ; and an expedition was sent out with a 
promptitude that excited the admiration of Europe. I o 
preserve the continuity of the rarrative, we must complete 
the account of the transactions in Portugal before we again 
return to the affairs of England. 15. In September, 1827 
Don Miguel was appointed regent by his brother, and imme¬ 
diately proceeded to assume the reins of power, in the 
following vear, after the departure of the English troops, lit 


434 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


usurped the crown in defiance of the claims oi his niece, 
and immediately after abrogated the constitution and |>ro¬ 
ck lined himself absolute. The young queen ol Portugal 
had, in the mean time, arrived in England, but finding her 
friends not sufficiently strong to overthrow the usurper, she 
returned to her father’s court at Rio Janeiro. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 By what circumstances have the English ministers been long eini>&x 

r asset! ? 

2 What event caused a change in the ministry ? 

3. For what purpose v\as the holy alliance formed? 

4 How was the Spanish constitution overthrown ? 

5 What revolutions occurred in Suith America ? 

6. Did any European nation make a fierce struggle for freedom? 

7 What remarkable English nobleman died w hile aiding the Greeks ? 

8 Did any wars take place in the British colonies ? 

9 How did the Burmese war terminate ? 

10 What remarkable circumstances occurred in Ireland ? 

11. Did parliament adopt any measure in consequence ? 

12. What pecuniary embarrassments occurred in England? 

13 How was public attention directed to the affairs of Portugal ? 

14 In w'hal mannerdid the English government behave? 

15 What was the final termination of the struggle in Portugal? 


SECTION III. 


We cannot walk, or sit. or ride, or travel, 

But death is l>y to sei/.i us wluai lie lisis. — Scott. 

1. (A.P. 1827.) Death and disease, among the great and 
noble of the land, produced some important changes in the 
councils of Great Britain. On the nth of January, his royal 
highness the duke of York died, sincerely and generally 
lamented, more especially by the army ; for his conduct ever 
since Ins restoration to the office of commander-in-chief, had 
deservedly procured for him the endearing appellation of 
44 the soldier’s friend.” 2. On the 17th of February, the 
earl of Liverpool, prime minister of England, was seized 
with a fit of apoplexy, which terminated his political exist¬ 
ence, though his natural life was prolonged to the close of 
the succeeding year. He was succeeded by Mr. Canning, 
whose commanding eloquence and enlightened views had 
made him almost irresistible in the house of commons. 3 
But the additional fatigues imposed upon th-is highly-gifted 
statesman, and the fierce opposition he had to encounter, 
proved too much for a constitution already enfeebled by 
qpglected disease; he died on the 8th of August, in the 










ULORGI, IV. 


435 

dfly-cightl year of his age. 4. Mr. F. Robinson, having 
been elevated to the peerage, by the title of lord Goderich, 
was next appointed premier, but his administration was 
loose and unsettled, and the cabinet which he tiad formed 
soon fell to pieces. 'The duke of Wellington was then 
called by his majesty to preside over the councils of Britain, 
and aided by Mr. Peel, he succeeded in forming a ministry, 
piomising more firmness and stability than that which it 
succeeded. 

5. The atrocities which marked the warfare between the 
Greeks and Turks were so shocking to humanity, that the 
sovereigns of Europe felt themselves bound to interfere, 
and a treaty for the pacification of Greece was signed, in 
London, on the 6th of July, 1827, by the representatives 
of England, France, and Russia. 6. In consequence of 
this, the allied fleets in the Mediterranean prepared to force 
the combatants to consent to an armistice, and blockaded 
the Turkish fleet in the harbour of Navarino. Ibrahim 
Pacha, the Turkish commander in the Morea, paying but 
little attention to the remonstrances of the allied admirals, 
the united fleets sailed into the harbour, on the 20th of Oc¬ 
tober, under the command of sir Edward Codrington, to 
intimidate him into submission. 7. A shot fired by a 
Turkish vessel was the signal for a general engagement, 
which lasted four hours. It terminated in the almost utter 
annihilation of the Turkish fleet, with comparatively little 
loss to the allied squadrons. 'The independence of Greece 
was virtually achieved by this brilliant victory, and was 
further secured hy the arrival of a small military force from 
France; the 'Turkish government, however, refused sub¬ 
mission, and war was commenced against Russia. 8. 'The 
events of this war, though not properly belonging to Eng¬ 
lish history, demand a brief notice ; in the first campaign 
the Turks made an obstinate resistance, and gained some 
advantages over their opponents ; but in the following year 
(1829), the Russian arms were everywhere successful ; the 
passages of the Balkan were forced ; Adrianople, the second 
city in the empire, was captured, and the sultan forced to 
consent to terms of peace, dictated almost at the gates of 
Constantinople. 9. 'The demands of Russia were, how¬ 
ever, less exorbitant than might have been expected under 
the circumstances, but there is reason to believe that this 
moderation was inspired by a dread of provoking the jea¬ 
lousy and resentment of England. 

0 


430 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


10. (A. D. 1828.) After the resignation of lord Goderich 
My. Huskisson and some other friends of the late Mr. (’an- 
ning, had joined in tlie duke of Wellington’s administration, 

ut tliey soon found that little harmony could exist in such 
a coalition. At length Mr. Huskisson, having voted against 
ministers, tendered his resignation, which to his great sur¬ 
prise and r«*ortification was accepted, nor could all his sub¬ 
sequent efforts alter the inflexible spirit of the duke of Wel¬ 
lington. The time of the house of commons was wasted 
in the discussion of this and similar petty disputes, but one 
act of the session made an important change in the forms 
of the constitution. The test and corporation acts, which 
required the receiving of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, 
according to the rites of the church of England, as a neces¬ 
sary qualification for office, were repealed after a brief par¬ 
liamentary struggle ; and the hopes of the Roman catholics, 
for the repeal of the laws by which they were excluded 
from parliament, were greatly raised by this event. A mo¬ 
tion in their favour was made by sir Francis Burdett, and 
carried by a majority of six; but it terminated ineffectively, 
as a similar motion was negatived in the house of peers. 

11. The country continued to be agitated by the catholic 
question during the remainder of the year ; on the one 
hand, Brunswick clubs were formed by the advocates of 
protestant ascendency, to resist all further concession ; on 
the other side, the catholic leaders and their friends strenu¬ 
ously exerted themselves to render the cause of emancipa¬ 
tion popular. In Ireland, the agitation was so violent that 
there was reason to apprehend a civil war: the most in¬ 
temperate harangues were made at Brunswick meetings and 
m the Catholic Association ; it was manifest that nothing 
but promptitude and decision on the part of government 
could avert the effusion of blood. 

12. (A. D. 1829.) 'The commencement of the ensuing 
session of parliament was expected by all parties with the 
utmost anxiety ; and it was not without surprise, that both 
parties found catholic emancipation recommended in the 
speech from the throne. A bill to give effect to this re¬ 
commendation passed both houses by triumphant majorities, 
though not without encountering a vigorous opposition, and 
received the royal assent on the 13th of April. 

13. From the date of this important change in the con 
sutution, to the close of the reign, nothing of great import¬ 
ance occurred in England ; but in France the dissatisfaction 


GEORGE IV. 


437 


of the people with their rulers became daily more manifest 
An expedition was undertaken against Algiers, probably 
with the hope o! diverting the attention of the French peo¬ 
ple from politics, to what had been so long their favourite 
passion,— military glory. (A. 1). 1830.) The expedition 
was eminently successful ; Algiers was captured, and the 
entire presidency subjected to the power of France : but 
the discontents of the French people continued to rage with 
as much violence as ever. 

14. 'The illness of the king in the commencement of the 
year 1830 threw a damp on public affairs, and as its fatal 
tendency became more apparent, speculations were rife on 
the probable political conduct of his successor. After a 
tedious sickness, which he sustained with great fortitude 
and resignation, George IV. died at Windsor Castle, on the 
25th of June. The reasons already assigned for omitting 
a sketch of the character of George III. are in the present 
instance still more forcibly applicable ; we shall only say 
ot him as a distinguished writer has said of Henry IV. of 
France, 

Oh ! he his failings covered by his tomb. 

And guardian laurels o'er his ashes bloom. 


Questions for Examination. 

1 What death occurred in the royal family ? 

2 By what circumstance was Mr. Canning placed at the head of the mi 

ms try ? 

3 What is supposed to have caused Mr. Canning’s death ? 

4 What changes look place in consequence of Mr Canning’s death ? 

5 In what manner did the European sovereigns endeavour to etiect the 

pacification of Greece? 

6 What caused the haute of Navarino ? 

7 What were the consequences of the battle? 

8 flow did the Russian war with Turkey terminate? 

9 Why was Russia moderate in her demands ? 

10 Wh t remarkable circumstance occurred in the parliamentary session 

of 1828/ 

11 Was the British nation disturbed hv the agitation of any important question! 

12 How was the catholic question finally settled ? 

13 Did the French government engage in any important expedition ? 

11. When did George IV. die? 


CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS. 


Popes. 

A.U. 

eo XII. 

. 1823 

Emperor of Austria. 

Francis II. 

. 1792 


King of Bavaria, 
Louis Charles A u- 
gustus.1825 


King and Electorate of 
Bohemia. a.u. 
Francis II. 1792 

King of Denmark. 
Frederic VI. 1808 

Kins of France. 

Charles X. 1824 

53 o 2 


King of Hanover A.I? 
George IV. king of 
Ureal Britain. 

King of Kavles and 
Sirifj 

Ferdinand IV rest. 1824 
Framis Janiver 
Joseph 


1826 












438 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


King of the Netherlands. 

AO 

William 1. 1813 

King of Poland. 
Nicholas I. see Russia. 

Queen of Portugal 
'Vinna Maria da 
Gloria. 1826 


King of Prussia, a d. 
Frederick IV. 1797 

Emperor of Russia. 
Nicholas 1. 1825 

King of Sardinia. 
Charles Felix. 1821 

King of Saxony. 
Anthony Ciement. 1827 


King of Spain s V 
Ferdinand VII.. (80fe 
King of Sweden and 
Nor wav. 

Charles XIV. 1818 

Grand Seignior cf 
Turkey. 

Mahmoud II. 1806 

King of Wirlemtierg 
Frederic William 1816 


CHAPTER XXXVIII 
WILLIAM IV. 

Bern 1765. Began to reign 1830. Died June 20, 1837. 

SECTION I. 

The love of liberty with life is given. 

And life itself the inferior gift of heaven. — Dry den. 

1. Rarely has the accession of a new sovereign afforded 
such general satisfaction, as Was manifested by all classes, 
when the duke of Clarence ascended the throne with the title 
of William IV. Unlike his predecessors, his habits were 
economical and his manners familiar; he exhibited himself 
to his people, conversed with them, and shared in their tastes 
and amusements; within a few weeks he attained an unpre¬ 
cedented degree of popularity, and was reverenced by his 
subjects as a father, and loved by them as a friend. 2. No 
change was made in the ministry ; but as his majesty was 
connected by marriage with some of the leading whigs, it 
was generally believed that the policy which rigidly excluded 
that party from office during the two preceding reigns, 
would not be maintained in full force. The hopes of a coali¬ 
tion between the Wellington administration and the whigs 
were, however, soon dispelled ; the opposition to the minis 
try, which had been almost nominal during the preceding 
sessions, was more than usually violent in the debate on the 
address; and though the formal business of both houses was 
hurried through with all possible despatch, the whigs were 
pledged to a virtual declaration of war against the cabinet 
before tne prorogation of parliament. 

3. The parliament was dissolved on the 24th of duly, blit 
before it could be again convened, a revolution in a neigh 














WILLIAM IV. 


430 

bourmg country produced important effects on the public 
mind, and in some degree convulsed all Europe. Charles X., 
m defiance ol the wishes and feelings of the great majority 
of the Frefhch people, was eager to restore the royal and so- 
cordota 1 power to the eminence which both possessed before 
the revolution. He found in prince Polignac, a minister able 
and willing to second his projects, and he placed him at the 
head of the cabinet. Polignac thought that, by gratifying 
the national vanity of the French, and indulging their pas¬ 
sion for military glory, he might be able to divert their atten¬ 
tion from domestic exploits: previously to dissolving the 
chamber of deputies, he therefore proclaimed war against the 
dcy of Algiers, who had committed several outrages on the 
subjects of France. P>ut the expectations of the prince were 
miserably disappointed. His cabinet was assailed with a 
ferocity and violence to which the annals of constitutional 
warfare furnish no parallel; and as the actions of its mem¬ 
bers afforded no opportunity for crimination, their opponents 
made amends by attacking their presumed designs and inten¬ 
tions. When the chamber of deputies met, an address, hos¬ 
tile to the ministry, was carried by a large majority. 4. The 
king instantly prorogued the chambers; and when the reduc¬ 
tion of Algiers had, as he fondly hoped, gratified the nation 
and restored his popularity, he once more hazarded the 
perilous experiment of a dissolution. The new chamber of 
deputies was still more hostile than the preceding. Polignac 
and his colleagues saw that they could not hope to retain 
their power by constitutional means, and in an evil hour they 
prepared three ordinances by which the French charter was 
virtually annihilated. The first dissolved the chambers 
before they assembled, the second disfranchised the great 
body of electors; and the third imposed a rigid censorship 
on the press. 

5. When these ordinances first appeared on Monday, the 
28th of July, they excited astonishment rather than indigna¬ 
tion ; a number of persons, however, connected with the 
journals of Paris, assembled, and issued a manifesto, in 
which they declared their resolution to resist, by all the 
means in their powei, the enforcement of the ordinance iin 
posing restrictions on the press. Several of the daily jour 
nais were not published on the following morning, and the 
printers and compositors, engaged in their preparation, being 
left without employment, formed a body of active rioters. 
They were joined by the workmen from several manulac- 


440 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


tories, the proprietors of which had agreed tc suspend their 
business during the crisis, thus throwing into the streets an 
insurrectionary force, whose ferocity was more formidable 
than military discipline. Some disturbances took place at 
the offices of two journals, the proprietors of which persisted 
m publishing appeals to the populace , but they seemed to be 
of so little importance, that Charles went to enjoy his favourite 
amusement of hunting, and his ministers, with similar in¬ 
fatuation, neglected to strengthen the garrison of Paris. 
0. In the evening of Tuesday, the appearance of the military 
to reinforce the police, became the signal for the commence¬ 
ment of a contest. Several lives were lost, but the soldiers 
succeeded in dispersing the riotous mobs; and when they re¬ 
turned to their barracks, Marshal Marmont, the military 
commander of Paris, wrote a letter to the king, congratula¬ 
ting him on the restoration of tranquillity; and the ministers 
prepared their last ordinance, declaring the capital to be in a 
state of siege. 

7. But the apparent triumph of the royalists was delusive; 
scarcely were the troops withdrawn when all the lamps in 
Paris were broken, and the citizens, protected by darkness, 
made energetic preparations for the struggle of the ensuing 
day ; barricades were erected, arms were procured from the 
shops, the theatres, and the police-stations, and the arsena) 
and powder magazine were seized by the populace. When 
the morning of Wednesday dawned, Marmont beheld with 
alarm the tri-coloured flag, the banner of insurrection, waiv¬ 
ing from the towers of the cathedral, and the preparation? 
made on all sides for an obstinate struggle. lie instantly 
wrote to the king, recommending conciliatory measures, but 
receiving no answer, he prepared to act on his previous in- 
structions. Dividing his troops into four columns, he direct 
ed them to move in different directions, and make circuits 
through the principal streets occupied by the insurgents. A 
series of sanguinary conflicts took place, in all of which the 
royalists were worsted ; the troops of the line manifested the 
greatest reluctance to fire upon their countrymen ; some of 
them disobeyed orders, and others went over to the insur¬ 
gents. When evening closed, the soldiers had been beaten 
at every point, and they returned to their barracks wearied 
and disappointed. No provision was made for their refresh¬ 
ment alter the toils of the day, while all the houses in Paris 
were freel\ opened to the insurgents, and the citizens vied 


WILLIAM IV. 


411 


with each other in supplying them with every thing that they 
needed. 

8. The struggle was renewed with great furv on the 
morning of the third day ; Marmont and the ministers, now 
convinced of their danger, proposed a suspension of arms; 
but before anything decisive could lie effected, two regiments 
of the line unfixed their bayonets, and went over to the in¬ 
surgents in a body. The populace reinforced by these, 
rushed through tne gap thus opened, carried the Louvre by 
storm, and opened from this position a terrible fire on the 
column of the royal army. Under this new attack the sol¬ 
diers reeled; their assailants saw them waver, and charging 
with resistless impetuosity, drove them to a precipitate re¬ 
treat. Marmont and his staff escaped with great difficulty, 
his scattered detachments were taken or cut to pieces ; before 
three o’clock Paris was tranquil, and the victory of the peo¬ 
ple complete. 

9. The members of the chamber of deputies, who hap¬ 
pened to be in Paris, met at the house of M. Lalitte, and orga 
nized a provisional government; and on the following Friday 
they proclaimed the duke of Orleans lieutenant-general of 
the kingdom. On the 3d of August the chambers met, pur¬ 
suant to the original writs of convocation, and the national 
representatives raised the duke of Orleans to the throne, 
under the title of Louis Philippe I., king of the French. 
Charles X. was dismissed to exile wi'h contemptuous hu¬ 
manity ; but the efforts of the new government to protect the 
obnoxious ministers almost produced a new civil war. Four 
of these unfortunate men, arrested by individual zeal, were 
brought to trial; an infuriated mob clamoured for their blood, 
but their judges had the firmness to sentence them lo per¬ 
petual imprisonment; and soon after their removal to their 
destined place of confinement, public tranquillity was restored. 

10. The revolution of Paris was closely followed by that 
of Brussels. The union of Belgium with Holland by the 
treaty of Vienna was an arrangement which contained no 
elements of stability, for the Belgians and the Dutch were 
aliens to each other in language, religion, and blood. The 
arbitrary measures of the king of Holland’s prime minister 
provoked a formidable riot in Brussels, on the night of the 
25th of' August, which the indecision, cowardice, and stu¬ 
pidity of the Dutch authorities, fostered into a revolutionary 
war. The prince of Orange made some efforts to mediate 
between the contending parties, but he only exposed himsel 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


142 

!o the* suspicions of both ; and, after a brief struggle, Bei- 
gium was severed from the dominions of the house of 
Nassau. 

11. Several insurrectionary movements took place in Ger¬ 
many ; the duke of Brunswick was deposed, and replaced 
by his brother ; the king of Saxony was forced to resign in 
favou**cf ids nephew, and the elector of Hesse was compelled 
o grant a constitutional charter to his subjects. Poland 
Bext became the theatre of war; its Russian governor, the 
archduke Constantine, was expelled, and the independence of 
the country proclaimed ; but after a long and sanguinary 
struggle, the gallant Poles were forced to yield to the gigan¬ 
tic [lower of Russia. 

12. In England, the rural districts, especially Kent and 
the northern counties, exhibited alarming signs of popular 
discontent; but the agitation in Ireland was of a still more 
dangerous character, and seemed to threaten the dismember- 
merit of the empire. Great anxiety was felt for the opening 
of parliament, and the developement of the line of policy 
which the ministers would adopt at such a crisis. It was 
with surprise that the people learned from the premier, on 
the very first night of the session, that not only he was un¬ 
prepared to bring forward any measure of reform, but that 
he would strenuously oppose any change in parliamentary 
representation. 13. The unpopularity which the duke of 
Wellington seemed almost to have courted by this declara¬ 
tion, was studiously aggravated by the arts of his opponents ; 
and v\ hen the king had accepted the invitation of the Lord 
Mayor to dine with the citizens on the 9th of November, a 
letter was sent to the duke of Wellington by a city magis¬ 
trate, warning him that he would be insulted, perhaps in¬ 
jured, by the mob, if he did not come protected by a military 
escort. The ministers in alarm resolved to put a stop to the 
entire proceedings, and on the 8th of November, to the great 
astonishment of the public, it was announced, not only that 
the king’s visit would be postponed, but that there would be 
neither the usual civic procession in honour of the new Lord 
Mayor, nor the dinner in the Guild-hall, for which great 
preparations had been made, in consequence, as was alleged, 
of some seditious conspiracy. The first effect of the an¬ 
nouncement was a general panic; the funds fell four per 
cent, in one day, and the whole country was filled with 
anxiety and alarm. But when it was discovered that no 
serious grounds existed for the apprehensions which lad 


WILLIAM IV. 


443 


been excited, all who had a share in exiting it were assailed 
with a tempest of indignant ridicule, which even a stronger 
cabinet than that of the duke of Wellington could not have 
resisted. 14. When the ministerial measure for the arrange¬ 
ment for the civii list was introduced, Sir Henry Parnell 
moved a resolution which implied that the ministers no longer 
possessed the confidence of parliament. After a calm de¬ 
bate, marked by unusual moderation on both sides, the rcso 
lution was carried in a full house by a majority of twenty 
nine votes; the duke of Wellington and his colleagues 
instantly resigned, and earl Grey received his majesty’s com¬ 
mands to form a new administration. 

15. Earl Grey’s ministry was formed of the leaders of 
the old whig party and the friends of the late Mr. Canning; 
the most remarkable appointment was that of Mr. Brougham 
to the office of Lord Chancellor, as a very few days before 
his elevation, he had declared “ no change that may take 
place in the administration can by any possibility affect 
me.” His immediate acceptance of a peerage and office 
consequently excited surprise, and provoked harsh comments. 
Parliament adjourned for a short time to give the new minis¬ 
ters an opportunity for maturing their plans, which were 
stated by the premier to include economy and retrenchment 
at home, non-interference in the affairs of foreign states, and 
a reform in the commons’ house of parliament. 

16. Great anxiety was felt about the nature of the reform 
which the ministers would propose. Their measure was 
developed to the house of commons by lord John Russell, on 
the 1st of March, 1831, and it was found to include a 
frreater amount of change than had been anticipated either 
by friends or enemies. All boroughs not containing two 
thousand inhabitants were totally disfranchised, those that 
had less than four thousand were restricted to returning one 
member, and the rights of representation of which these 
were deprived, were given to large manufacturing towns, 
four districts of the metropolis, and to divisions of the large 
counties. Similar changes were proposed in the representa¬ 
tion of Scotland and Ireland. 

17. A measure which involved so important a change ’ 
the constitution, was one which necessarily provoked pro¬ 
tracted discussions. The debate on its introduction lasted 
seven nights; the second reading of the hill was only carried 
by a majority of one. The ministers were subsequently de¬ 
feated on two divisions, and were compelled either to resign 


444 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


their situations or dissolve the parliament. His majesty 
carried his resolution into effect to support the cabinet by 
dissolving the parliament in person, and an appeal was then 
made to the people, on the most important constitutional 
question that had been raised since the accession of the 
house of Hanover. 

18. The event of the elections more *han answered the 
expectations of the most ardent reformer. When the new 
parliament met, it appeared that fully two-thirds of the repre¬ 
sentatives were pledged to support the minister. The pro¬ 
gress of the Reform Bill through the house of commons 
though slow was certain, and on the 22d of September it was 
sent up to the lords. Its fate in the upper house was very 
different; it was rejected on a second reading by a majority 
of forty-one. This decision produced violent ana even dan¬ 
gerous excitement: but the promptitude with which the house 
of commons, on the motion of lord Ebrington, pledged itself 
to the support of the ministers and their measure, calmed the 
agitation in the metropolis and the greater part of the coun¬ 
try. Serious riots, however, took place at Derby and Not- 
ingham, which were not quelled until considerable mischief 
had been perpetrated; Bristol suffered still more severely 
from the excesses of an infuriate mob, and the disturbances 
were not suppressed until an immense quantity of public and 
private property had been wantonly destroyed. 

19. In the midst of this political excitement the country 
was visited by a pestilential disease, called the Asiastic cho¬ 
lera, which proved very destructive, though its ravages were 
not so great in England as in some parts of the continent. 
This must, under Providence, be attributed to the judicious 
measures adopted by the, government, and to the zealous ex¬ 
ertions of all the gentlemen connected with the medical pro¬ 
fession throughout the empire. In Ireland agrarian insur¬ 
rections were added to the horrors of pestilence; the peas¬ 
ants, driven to desperation by famine and oppression on the 
one hand, and stimulated bv the violent harangues of itiner. 
ent demagogues on the other, committed several atrocious 
outrages, which could not be restrained by the ordinary 
opeiations of constitutional law. France and Italy were 
also disturbed by insurrectionary movements, which were 
however, soon suppressed ; and the revolution of Belgium 
was completed, by its being formed into a monarchy undei 
nrince Leopold of Saxe Coburg, whose chief recommendu 
lion was his connection with the royal family' of England. 


WILLIAM IV. 


445 


20. These circumstances induced the ministers to convene 

parliament for the third time within the year; the Reform 

Bill was Oiiain introduced, and after the second reading had 
. w .... ' 

been carried by a decisive majority, the houses adjourned till 

Ihe commencement of the following year. When they re¬ 
assembled, the Reform Bill was carried steadily through its 
remaining stages in the lower house, and once more brought 
into the house of peers, where its fate was regarded with 
grea-t anxiety. Several of its former opponents, called wa- 
verers, had resolved to vote for the second reading, with the 
hope that the measure might be greatly modified in com¬ 
mittee, and by their aid the bill passed this important stage 
hy a majority of nine. But the ministers had no reason to 
hoast of this success; more than twenty of those who had 
supported the second reading were pledged to resist the most 
important clauses, and by their aid, a motion for instruction 
to the committee on the bill, which virtually took all control 
over the measure out of the hands of its proposers, was 
carried by a majority of thirty-five. Lord Grey, in con¬ 
junction with his colleagues, proposed to the king a new 
creation of peers ; his majesty refused his assent to so ex¬ 
treme a measure, and all the members of the cabinet in¬ 
stantly resigned. The king then applied to the duke ot 
Wellington to form a new administration, and his grace un¬ 
dertook the task under circumstances of greater ditficuliy 
than had yet been encountered by a British statesman. Op¬ 
posed hy the bulk of the nation and by a large majority of 
the house of commons, the duke soon discovered that it 
would be out of his power to form a ministry ; he therefore 
resigned the commission, and advised the king to recall his 
former advisers. Lord Grey returned to power, having se¬ 
cured the success of the Reform Bill by a compromise with 
its opponents. It was agreed that the ministers should not 
create peers, but that the leaders of the opposition should 
secede from the house until the Reform Bill beetime tne law 
of the land. Under these circumstances the measure was 
passed without any impediment through its remaining stages 
and on the 7th of June it received the royal assent. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. How was the accession of William TV. received t 

2. What was the state of parties at the commencement ot the new 

reign ? 

3. With what design did the French ministers declare war against Algiers t 




446 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


4. What ordinances were issued by Polignac ? 

5. How were they received in Paris ? 

6. When did ihe contest between the citizens of Paris and the royal 

troops begin ? 

7. In what condition was the royal cause after the second day’s struggle 

in Paris ? 

8. How was the contest in Paris terminated ? 

9. Was any change made in the government of France ? 

10. Did vhe French revolution produce any effect in Belgium ? 

11. Were there any insurrectionary movements in other parts of the con¬ 

tinent ? 

2. What remarkable declaration was made by the duke of Wellington! 

3. Why was the king’s visit to the city postponed ? 

14. How was the Wellington administration dissolved ? 

15. On what principle was lord Grey’s ministry constructed ? 

16. What was the general nature of the Reform Bill ? 

17. How was it received on its first introduction into the house of com 

mons ? 

18. What was the fate of the Reform Bill in the new parliament ? 

19. In what condition were Great Britain and the continent at this crisis! 

20. How was the Reform BUI ultimately carried ? 


SECTION II. 

The palace sounds with wail. 

The courtly daring are paie, 

A widow o’er the uurple hows, and weeps its splendour dim: 

And we who clasp the boon. 

A king for freedom won. 

Do feel eternity rise up between our thanks and him.— Jinon. 

1. (A. D. 1833—7.) The revolution in France, the ex 
citement attending the agitation of the Reform Bill in Eng¬ 
land, the dilhcuity which impeded the arrangement of the 
affairs of Belgium, and the war in Poland, threatened con¬ 
sequences fatal to the peace of Europe; it was only by slow 
degrees that the agitated waves were stilled, and appearances 
more than once seemed to threaten a renewal of the storm. 
Louis was zealously supported by the middle classes in 
France, but he was exposed to the plots of the Carlists and 
republicans, who were equally hostile to the continuance of 
a government so adverse to their favourite schemes. A Car- 
fist insurrection in the south of France, and a republican not 
at the funeral ol General Lamarque in Paris, threatened to 
involve the natbn in the perils of a civil war; but the re- 
publicans were unable to withstand the firmness of the na¬ 
tional guard, and the capture of the duchess of Berri put 
an end to the war in the south of France. 

2. Don Pedro had resigned the crown of Portugal when 
he was chosen emperor of Brazil; but when he was deposed 
by his South American subjects, he resolved to support his 



WILLIAM IV. 


447 


daughter’s claims to the throne of Portugal. Having sc- 
cretly organized a considerable force of English and French 
adventurers, he el fee ted a landing near Oporto, and took 
possession ol that city. He expected an insurrection, but 
none look place; and he was closely besieged in the city by 
the usurper Miguel. A desultory war ensued, distinguished 
by no remarkable events, until Miguel’s lleet was captured 
by Admiral Napier with a very inferior force; after which 
Lisbon was surprised by the constitutional forces, and the 
usurper driven into exile. Don Pedro’s death, which soon 
followed his victory, did no injury to the constitutional cause, 
and his daughter, Donna Maria de Gloria, remains in undis¬ 
turbed possession of the crown of Portugal. 

3. The influence of Russia was exercised in resisting the 
progress of liberal opinion in Germany, but was more alarm¬ 
ingly displayed in the east of Europe. Mohammed Ali, the 
pacha of Egypt, threw off lus allegiance to the sultan, and 
sent his son Ibrahim to invade Syria. The superior disci¬ 
pline of the Egyptian troops rendered their victories easy, 
and Ibrahim might have advanced to the suburbs of Constan¬ 
tinople, and perhaps have taken that city, had not the sultan 
sought protection from the Czar. A Russian armament de¬ 
livered the Ottoman empire from the impending peril, but 
the acceptance of such aivl rendered the sultan a dependant 
on the court of St. Petersburg. 

4. Such was the state of Europe when the British parlia¬ 
ment was dissolved, and a new election held pursuant to the 
provisions of the Reform Bill. In England and Scotland the 
ministers had very large majorities, but in Ireland a new 
party mustered in considerable force, consisting of members 
pledged to support the repeal of the union. 5. One ol the 
earliest measures which engaged the attention of I he re- 
formed parliament, was a coercion bill for suppressing the 
agrarian disturbances in Ireland, and checking the political 
agitation by which these tumults were in some measure en¬ 
couraged. The bill passed the lords without difficulty ; but 
in the lower house it encountered so fierce an opposition, that 
the ministers were compelled to abandon some ol the most 
obnoxious clauses. With the coercion bill a measure for the 
regulation of the Irish church was very ciosely connected. 
The Irish church stands in the unpopular predicament of 
possessing a wealthy national establishment, while the great 
majority of the people belong not merely to a different, but 
to a hostile faith impediments have consequently been of- 


448 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


fered to the collection of its revenues, and there has scarcely 
been any popular disturbance in Ireland during the greater 
part of a century, which has not been more or less remotely 
connected with the tithe-question. Under these circum¬ 
stances, the conservative party generally supported the claims 
of the church in their full efficiency ; the moderate reformers 
proposed, that after provision had been made for all neces¬ 
sary ecclesiastical uses, the surplus should be applied to some 
object of public utility, such as national education ; and a 
third party, stronger in zeal than numbers, regarded the pro¬ 
perty of the church as a fund that might be seized for the 
purposes of the state. The ministers steered a middle course 
between the extreme parties, and of course gave perfect satis¬ 
faction to neither; they abolished ten bishoprics, but they 
abandoned the clause for applying the surplus to purposes 
not purely ecclesiastical, in order to facilitate the passage of 
the bill through the house of lords. The motion was ren¬ 
dered more agreeable to the Irish clergy, than it would other¬ 
wise have been, by the grant of a million sterling as a loan, 
in lieu of the arrears of tithes which they were unable to 
collect. 

6. The renewal of the charter of the bank of England, 
led to some important discussions on the financial state of 
the country ; but much more important was the change made 
in the constitution of the East India Company. While that 
body was secured in its political rights over the vast empire 
which it had acquired in Hindostan, it was deprived of its 
exclusive privileges of commerce, and the trade with India 
and China was freely opened to all the subjects of the British 
crown. Equally great was the change made in the constitu 
tion of the British West India colonies by the total abolition 
of ne^ro slavery ; the service of the negro was changed into 
a compulsory apprenticeship for a limited time, and a com¬ 
pensation of twenty millions sterling was granted to the pro¬ 
prietors of the slaves. 

7. Notwithstanding the importance and value of these 
changes, the reformed parliament was far from satisfying the 
expectations which had been rather too sanguinely formed 
by me people. Some dissatisfaction was expressed at the 
limited amount of the reductions of taxation, the continuance 
of the corn laws, and of military flogging, and the impress¬ 
ment of seamen. It was also suspected that the cabinet was 
itseu divided on more than one question of public policy. 

8. In the United States some discussions arose, in which 


WILLIAM IV. 


449 


4ie interests of England, as a commercial couni ry, were ma¬ 
terially involved. The tanll sanctioned by congress, ini* 
posing heavy duties on the import of manufactured goods, 
was strenuously opposed by the southern states, especially 
the Carolinas, and an appeal to arms was threatened. With 
some dilhculty a compromise was effected, but the attack 
thus made on the perir.anance of the union is still lelt in 
America. The hostility of the American president to the 
banking system, induced him to withdraw the public de 
p^ites irom the bank ol the United States, and a violent 
shock was thus given to commercial credit, which produced 
inju rious results on botn sides of the Atlantic. 

9. The agitation in Ireland for the repeal of the union 
was continued during the recess ; and soon after the meeting 
of parliament, Mr. OTonnell introduced the subject into the 
house of commons, i I is motion was rejected by a majority 
of live hundred and twenty against fifty-eight, but at the 
same time parliament pledged itself “ to remove all just 
cause of complaint, to promote all well-considered measures 
of improvement.” But on the nature of these measures the 
cabinet was divided, and the majority having evinced a dis¬ 
position to appropriate the surplus ecclesiastical revenues to 
secular purposes of general utility, the earl of Ripon, the 
duke of Richmond, Mr. Stanley, and sir James Graham, re¬ 
signed their offices. Their places were soon supplied, but 
the changes were very distasteful to the house of lords, and 

L. • 

the new Irish tithe-bill was rejected by a decisive majority. 

10. Another Irish question led to further changes in the 
muiistry. In the discussion on the renewal of the coercion 
bill, it appeared that some members had agreed to certain 
compromises with its opponents of which their colleagues 
were ignorant. The disclosure of these negotiations led to 
the resignation of lords Alihorp and Grey, the former of 
whom, however, returned to the office when lord Melbourne 
was appointed premier. These ministerial dissensions and 
the opposite views of the majorities in the houses of lords 
and commons, greatly impeded the progress of legislation; 
almost the only important measure of the session was a hill 
for the reform of the poor-laws, which, though it effected 
very great changes, was not much connected with party 
polities. 

11. The anomalous position of the government gave 
general dissatisfaction; the cabinet was assailed with equal 
violence by the conservatives and the extreme section of the 

2 i*2 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


450 

reformers, and the king soon began to show that lie was b 
no means satisfied with* the conduct ol his ministers, espe« 
cially the lord chancellor, who, during a tour in Scotland, 
had made some inconsistent and extraordinary speeches at 
various public meetings. On the death oi earl Spencer, lord 
Althorp was obliged to vacate his office of chancellor of the 
exchequer, and the king took this opportunity of dismissing 
he Melbourne administration. Sir Robert Peel was appoint¬ 
ed premier, but as he was absent on the continent, the duke 
of Wellington undertook the management of public affairs 
till his return. 

12. After sir Robert Peel’s return, and the formation of 
his cabinet, the parliament was dissolved, and a new election 
brought the strength of parties to a very severe test. In 
England the partizans of sir Robert Peel’s administration had 
a small majority ; but in Ireland, an unfortunate affray at 
Rathcormack, arising from an attempt to enforce the pay¬ 
ment of tithes, so exasperated the catholic population, that 
the ministerial candidates were almost everywhere unsuc¬ 
cessful. When the parliament assembled, the ministers were 
beaten at the very outset in the choice of a speaker; Mr 
Abercromby, the opposition candidate, having been preferred 
to the ministerial candidate, sir Charles Sutton, by a majority 
of ten. Several other motions were decided against the 
ministers, but none that involved a necessity for resignation, 
until lord John Russell proposed a resolution, that any mea¬ 
sure introduced regarding Irish tithes should be founded on 
the principle of appropriating the surplus revenue to purposes 
of general utility. The motion was carried by a majority of 
twenty-three; sir Robert Peel and his colleagues immediately 
resigned, and the Melbourne cabinet was restored, with the 
remarkable exception of lord Brougham, whose place, as 
chancellor, was supplied by lord Cottenham. 

13 .A bill for reforming the corporations of England 
founded on the report of commissioners appointed to investi¬ 
gate the condition of these bodies, was immediately intro¬ 
duced by the Melbourne administration, and passed without 
difficulty through the house of commons. Some important 
changes were made in the measure during its progress 
through the house of lords, but the ministers deemed it better 
to accept these modifications than to risk the loss of the bill 
\ law for regulating the marriages of dissenters was also 
passed by both houses, but the ministerial measures for regu¬ 
lating the Irish church were again rejected by the house Ql 
lords. 


WILLIAM IV. 


451 


14. The state of Canada began to occupy a large share 
ol public attention during the latter part of the session; the 
colonial house ol assembly opposed the measures of govern¬ 
ment, and went to the extreme of withholding the supplies. 
Commissioners were sent to arrange these dillerences, but 
the Canadians of French descent made claims, not only in¬ 
consistent with the continuance of British dominion, but with 
the lair claims to protection of the British emigrants who 
had settled in the country, and their demands were conse¬ 
quently rejected. 

15. During the struggle between the nicely balanced par 
ties in England, the aspect of continental affairs was favour 
able to the continuance of peace. An attempt was made on 
the life of the king of the French, aad various plots were 
formed by enthusiastic republicans to effect a revolution, but 
the friends of order rallied round the throne, and the only re¬ 
sult of these attacks was to increase the strength of the 
government. Spain was distracted by the horrors of a dis¬ 
puted succession. A little before the death of Ferdinand 
VII., the Salic law, which had been introduced by the Bour¬ 
bon dynasty, was set aside in favour of that monarch’s infant 
daughter; and she succeeded to the throne after her father’s 
decease (1833). Don Carlos and his partizans protested 
against this arrangement, and they took advantage of the 
unpopularity of the regent to kindle the flames of civil war. 
To prevent the necessity of again returning to this subject, 
we may mention here that this war still continues; that the 
queen regent, though aided by a British auxiliary legion, has 
failed to establish her authority over the northern provinces, 
and that so completely disorganized is the entire condition of 
society in the peninsula, that there is no present prospect of 
its being speedily restored to a state of order and settled gov¬ 
ernment. Though the civil war in Portugal has not been 
renewed, the country continues to be distracted by contests 
between rival parties, whose struggles are too often decided 
by open force rather than constitutional means. 

10. The commencement of the parliamentary session in 
1836, showed that the differences between the majority of 
the lords and the majority of the commons were far from 
being reconciled. They were at issue principally on the line 
of policy that ought to be pursued towards Ireland, and on 
the measures for regulating the established church in Eng¬ 
land and Ireland. It was proposed that the Irish corporations 
should be reformed according to the plan which, in the pro 


452 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


ceding year, had Deen adopted for similar bodies in Engfaul 
and a bill embodying this principle received the sanction of 
the lower house; the lords, however, insisted that the state 
of society in Ireland was such that municipal institutions 
were not adapted to that country, and resolved that the cor¬ 
porations should be altogether abolished : to this amendment 
Ihe commons refused to agree, and the bill was consequently 
lost. A similar fate awaited the Irish tithe-bill ; the lords 
rejected the appropriation clause, and the commons would 
not accept the measure without it. Laws, however, were 
passed for the commutation of tithes in England, for the re¬ 
gistration of births, deaths, and marriages, and for regula¬ 
ting episcopal sees, the opposing parties having each yielded 
a little to ensure unanimity. 

17. In Upper Canada the refractory house of assembly 
■was dissolved, and at the new election a majority of members 
favourable to the British government was returned. But in 
Lower Canada the demands of the French party were not 
only renewed but increased, and the governor, after a vain 
elfort to conciliate the house of assembly, put an end to the 
session. 

18. In America the progress of the contest between Presi¬ 
dent Jackson and the Bank of the United States, greatly em¬ 
barrassed all commercial transactions. In spite of all legis¬ 
lative prohibitions, the country was inundated by an over 
issue of paper money, and the government, to check the 
evil, decreed that specie alone should be received in payment 
for public lands. The small notes were immediately depre¬ 
ciated; several banks failed, and many of the leading mer¬ 
chants and traders were unable to discharge their engage¬ 
ments. The crisis was sensibly felt in England, where it 
greatly checked the speculation in rail-roads, which were 
beginning to be carried to a perilous extent; the manufac¬ 
turing districts suffered most severely from the temporary 
pressure; but the crisis was soon over, and trade again 
flowed in its accustomed channels. 

19. The parliamentary session of 1837 produced few 
measures of importance; on Irish measures the houses 
maintained their opposite opinions, and of course nothing 
was done; in matters of ecclesiastical policy the result was 
precisely the same ; the only matter in which there was any 
appearance of unanimity, was in the adoption of resolutions 
for administering the government of Lower Canada in oppo¬ 
sition to the refractory house of assembly. A gloom was 


VICTORIA. 453 

thrown over these and other discussions by the increasing 
illness ol the king, whose disease at an early period prog¬ 
nosticated its fatal termination. Ilis majesty died on the 
morning of the 20th of June, sincerely regretted by every 
class ol' his subjects. During his reign of near.y seven 
years, the nation enjoyed tranquillity both at home and 
abroad ; it was the only reign in the annals of England 
during which there was no execution for treason and no 
foreign war. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What was the condition of France after the Revolution ? 

2. Did any civil war arise in Portugal ? 

3. How was Turkey forced into dependence on Russia? 

4. What was the state of parties in the first reformed parliament? 

5. To what measure of domestic policy was the attention of parliament 

directed ? 

6. What change was made in the East and West India colonies? 

7. Did the reformed parliament satisfy expectations? 

8. To what dangers was the American union exposed ? 

9. On what questions was lord (trey’s cabinet divided ? 

10. What circumstances led to further changes m the ministry 1 ? 

11. On what occasion was the Melbourne cabinet dissolved? 

12. How was sir Robert Peel compelled to resign ? 

13. With what measures did tlit* Melbourne ministry succeed? 

14. In what condition was Canada ? 

15. Can von state the circumstances of the civil war in Spain ? 

16. On what subjects were the majorities of the lords and commons ai 

variance ? 

17. What was the progress of Canadian discontent? 

18. What commercial crisis occurred in America? 

J9. Why was the session of 1837 unproductive of important events? 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 

VICTORIA. 

Born 1819. Began to reign 1837. 

SECTION I. 

They decked her courtly halls— 

They reined her hundred steeds;— 

They shouted at her palaee gate. 

A noble queen succeeds.— Anon. 

!. Victoria, the only daughter of Edward, duke of Kent, 
c »tceeded her late uncle, and her accession to the throne was 
balled with more than ordinary enthusiasm. All parties 
v ied with each other in testify ing their affectionate allegiance 





454 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


to their youthful sovereign, called, at the early age of eighteen, 
to rule over the destinies of a mighty empire. The formal 
business of parliament was completed with all possible do 
snatch, and, at the close of the session, parliament was dis¬ 
solved. Although there was a keen trial of strength between 
the rival political parties, the elections were unusually tran¬ 
quil; and, at their close, it appeared that the triumphs of* 
the opposing parties were very nearly balanced. Public atten¬ 
tion was next directed to the preparations made for enter¬ 
taining her majesty at a civic banquet on the 9th of November. 
They were on a scale of unrivalled magnificence, and her 
majesty’s procession to the Guild-hall was one of the most 
pleasing pageants ever displayed in England. No change 
was made in the cabinet; and, when parliament assembled 
towards the close of the year, it appeared that the ministers 
retained their majority in the house of commons, and that 
the opposition to them in the house of lords had become more 
moderate. 

2. The state of Lower Canada was one of the most pressing 
subjects fir the consideration of the legislature; the oppo¬ 
nents of the government had taken up arms, and raised the 
standard of rebellion. But it soon appeared that their mea¬ 
sures were ill-concerted ; after a brief struggle, most of the 
leaders abandoned their followers, and sought shelter in the 
United States. Immediately after the re-assembling of par¬ 
liament, in January, 1838, measures were introduced for the 
temporary government of Canada, its constitution having been 
suspended by the revolt; and the earl of Durham was ap¬ 
pointed governor of all the British colonies in North America, 
with power, as lord commissioner, to arrange the differences 
between her majesty’s government and her discontented sub¬ 
jects. The result of his mission was, that the two provinces 
were consolidated into one, under a joint political administra¬ 
tion ; by which wise policy, party interests were dissolved, and 
tranquillity soon restored. Beyond the Canadian question, the 
parliamentary session was chiefly occupied with various mea¬ 
sures of Irish policy, particularly the introduction of a Poor- 
law into that country; there were, however, a few enactments 
of general interest -which obtained the sanction of the leuisla 
tuie; the parliamentary qualification was extended, arrest for 
debt on mesne process was abolished, and the administering 
of oaths in courts of justice dispensed with in respect t< 
Quakers, Moravians, and others. 

o. The 28th of June of this year (1838,) witnessed the 


VICTORIA. 


455 


coronation of the young queen, which took place amidst 
universal rejoicing ; many foreign princes and ambassadors 
were present, who also took great interest in the imposing 
ceremony. Soon after, parliament was prorogued by the 
queen in person. The internal energies of the kingdom were 
now developing themselves in the construction of vast works 
of public benefit, among which the completion of several im¬ 
portant railways was the most conspicuous. 

4. The foreign policy of the country, however, was dis¬ 
graced by a proceeding which ended in the most lamentable 
results. Under the erroneous impression that Russia contem¬ 
plated some aggressive movement against the stability of the 
British Indian empire through the instrumentality of Persia, 
an Anglo-Indian army was marched into the wild and distant 
country of Afghanistan. Sir John Keane was appointed to 
the command of the expedition, and proceeded with vast 
resources of men and means into the heart of the country. 
Caudahar was occupied ; and no difficulty was opposed to his 
career until his arrival at the fort of Ghuznee. This strong 
position he at once stormed and took; and, the way being 
thus opened to Cabul, he hastened on to the capital. Dost 
Mohammed, the reigning prince, was deposed, and Shah 
Soojah, a monarch more friendly to British interests, was sub¬ 
stituted in his place. Sir John Keane having left a strong 
force in Cabul, with Macnaghten and Burues, as the chief 
officers of the mission, hastily returned to India, and from 
thence to England, where, in honour of his brilliant successes, 
he was raised to the peerage. 

5. Difficulties began now to manifest themselves in con¬ 
nexion with China, which ended in an open rupture with that 
empire. The West Indian colonies also broke out into insu 
bordination, particularly Jamaica, in consequence of the inter¬ 
ference of the legislature in the subject of West India slavery. 
The difficulties, however, w'cre eventually compromised, and 
tranquillity restored. 

6. The internal state of the kingdom was somewhat dis¬ 
turbed by Chartism, the grand desideratum put forward by 
the working-classes as a remedy for their supposed wrongs: 
it required, 1st, universal suffrage; 2d, vote by ballot; 3d, 
annual parliaments; 4th, paid members; and 5th, no property 
qualification. The Chartists broke out into open riot to* 
wards the close of the year 1830, at Newport, Monmouth, 
shire. Frost, Williams, and Jones, the fomentors of these 
disturbances, were captured, tried and sentenced to death; 


m 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 



Sir Robert Feel. 


but their sentence was ultimately commuted to transportation 
for life. 

7. The first great event of the new year (1840,) was the 
marriage of ? her majesty wirh Prince Albert, of Saxe-Coburg 
Gotha, which was solemnized iu St. James’s chapel, on Feb¬ 
ruary 10th. The day was celebrated throughout the kingdom 
by a general holiday and great rejoicing. The chief points 
of interest connected with the foreign policy were the advance 
of an expedition against China, to obtain indemnity for the 
past, and better security for British commerce for the future; 
and the successes of the navy on the coast of Syria, in support 
of the power of the sultan of Turkey, against his rebellious 
pacha, Mohammed Ali. 

8. The following year brought with it a cessation of hos¬ 
tilities in China, by the occupation of Canton, which was ran¬ 
somed by the payment of six millions of dollars to the British, 
by way of indemnity for the expenses of the war. The paci¬ 
fication of the Levant was also a matter of congratulation. The 
government, however, did not seem to possess the confidence 
of the country, and, although the parliament was dissolved, 
and an appeal made to the people, yet lord Melbourne was 
forced to resign. Sir Robert Peel came into office as leader 
of the new administration. 

0. The successes of the British arms, in the beginning of 



VICTORIA. 


457 


too fear, wert now more than counterbalanced by the sad 
disasters which befell their army in Afghanistan. A fierco 
rebellion broke out on November 2d, at Cabul; Burnes and 
Macnaghten, the British ministers, with other civil and mili¬ 
tary officers, were successively murdered, and the whole country 
rose in arms under the treacherous Akbar Khan, the son of 
the deposed king, Dost Mohammed, who determined on the 
massacre of the whole British force. Pusillanimity and inde¬ 
cision in the councils of the general-in-chief, led to an imme¬ 
diate evacuation of the country; 4500 fighting men, together 
with about 12,000 camp followers, besides women and chil¬ 
dren, set forward, through ice and snow, on their lamentable 
retreat; and no sooner had they cleared out of their canton¬ 
ments, than the blood-thirsty Afghans began to plunder the 
baggage, and fire upon the soldiery; they continued without 
ceasing their revengeful assaults upon the bewildered and 
desponding multitude, till there was nothing left to plunder, 
and none left to kill. Out of a host of about 26,000 hurpan 
beings, only a few hundreds were rescued from death by cap¬ 
tivity. The ladies and the wounded had been given up to the 
enemy early in the march, and Dr. Brydon was the only officer 
who made good his retreat. In the following year, however, 
on the appointment of lord Ellenborough to the governor- 
generalship of India, in the place of lord Auckland, the British 
national character was repaired, the honour of their arms re¬ 
trieved, and the unfortunate prisoners rescued. General 
Pollock was despatched into Afghanistan with an invading 
army; he advanced on Cabul with all possible rapidity; while, 
on the other side, general Nott, who had held out at Candahar 
during the recent difficulties, brought his forces also to bear 
on the capital. Victory everywhere attended the British 
arms; and the British officers and ladies, who had been taken 
prisoners, were also rescued, at Bameean, on the road to 
Turkistan ; the late disgraces having now been so gloriously 
redeemed, it was determined to evacuate a country which 
ought never to have been entered; the fortifications and other 
works of Cabul having been destroyed, the British troops set 
forward on their return home, and, after a march of about ten 
weeks, arrived safely on the banks of the Sutlcdge, December 
17th, 1842. 

10. The war in China had broken out afresh, in consequence 
of the continued differences between the English and Chinese 
authorities; but it was renewed with so much vigour on the 
part of the British government, that the haughty Chinese were 

2 Q 



458 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


compelled to solicit the establishment of peace. A treaty to 
entered into by sir Henry Pottinger, on August 29th, 1842, 
otf Nankin, by which lasting peace and friendship were to exist 
between the two nations. China was to pay twenty-one million 
dollars, several of her ports were to be thrown open to the 
British merchants, and the island of Hong-Kong to be ceded 
in perpetuity to the British empire, with other important com¬ 
mercial advantages. 

11. At home, a few slight disturbances arose in the manu- 
facturing districts from commercial depression ; the repeal of 
the corn-laws had become a great source of political agitation ; 
and questions of Irish policy continued to absorb much of the 
attention of government. Wales, usually so tranquil, now 
exhibited scenes of popular violence, originating in the op¬ 
pressive system of turnpike-tolls. Government appointed a 
commission in October, 1843, to inquire into the operation of 
the turnpike laws, which ended in an amelioration of the 
burden, and the cessation of all outrage. 

12. The Afghan war had no sooner been terminated, than 
the treacherous conduct of the Ameers of Scinde towards the 
British troops in their late difficulties in Afghanistan, and 
their subsequent attempt to break off their engagements with 
the British Indian government, brought down upon them an 
armed British force, under sir Charles Napier. A desperate 
battle was fought near Hydrabad, which resulted in the dis¬ 
comfiture of the Ameers, and the annexation of their country 
to the British possessions. The Mahrattas also displayed 
similar treachery; but they met a severe chastisement in the 
battles of Maharajpoor, and of Puuniar, in the neighbourhood 
of Gwalior, which forced them to submit to the demands of 
the Indian government. These great actions closed the year 
1843. In the next year circumstances occurred in the govern¬ 
ment of the British Indian empire, which led to the recall of 
lord Ellenborough, wffio was succeeded by sir Henry Har- 
dinge, as governor-general of India. It was not long after 
sir Henry’s arrival, before his military skill was called into 
active exercise. The Sikh chiefs were making formidable 
preparations for invading the British territories; the attempt 
had been some time anticipated ; but it was the desire of 
government to act on the defensive, rather than on the offen¬ 
sive; so that no great advances were made to check their 
crossing the Sutledge, which separated us from the Punjaub. 
The day at length arrived, when these lawless soldiers crossed 


VICTORIA. 


459 

the river, and bade defiance to the British Indian armies, 
The first encounter took place at Moodkee, on December 14lh, 
l815; the struggle was most desperate, but victory decided 
in favour of the British. The terrible battles of Ferozeshah, 
Aliwal, and Sobraon, followed in quick succession, the Sikhs 
incurring great losses in each engagement: in the last battle, 
the most terrific carnage took place; men were mowed down 
by hundreds; and hundreds upon hundreds were drowned 
in attempting to recross the Sutledge. The success of the 
British was complete; but it was not achieved without an im¬ 
mense sacrifice of officers and men ; in the battle of Sobraon, 
five Sikhs lost 10,000 men in killed and wounded, and the 
British 2883. The British army immediately marched upon 
Lah ore, and entered the capital without opposition ; the re¬ 
maining Sikhs submitted ; a treaty was concluded, and indem¬ 
nities were to be paid to the British government. Thus closed 
one of the most eventful and fearful struggles that ever called 
into action the strength and valour of the Anglo-Indian army, 
February 10th, 1846. 

13. During these martial proceedings abroad, affairs at 
home were assuming a more cheering aspect; domestic tran¬ 
quillity was restored, commerce greatly improved, and the 
revenue sustained by the imposition of an income-tax. The 
duties on articles imported from abroad were considerably re¬ 
duced, and great advances made in the principles of free-trade. 
The repeal of the corn-laws now continued to be a matter of 
universal discussion, which was considerably promoted by the 
formation of an anti-corn-law league, provided with immense 
funds for the dissemination of its principles throughout the 
country by means of lecturers. The moral and intellectual 
welfare of the working-classes was also a matter of considera¬ 
tion with the government. Annual grants of money were 
allowed by parliament to provide for the education of the 
people; and a committee of the privy-council was appointed 
to manage their disbursement, under the appellation of the 
Committee of Council on Education. 

14. In Ireland, political disquietude was on the decline; 
many measures were passed by the legislature to improve its 
position, and ameliorate the condition of the people; means 
of academical instruction were also considerably extended by 
grants from parliament. The failure of the potato crop, how 
ever, in 1845, and the deficiency of the harvest, carried 
extreme misery and want throughout the whole of Ireland 


460 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


To this failure may be ascribed the hasty settlement of the 
corn-law question. The universal cry for food quickened the 
government into an unflinching consideration of the subject; 
and consequently a measure was brought before parliament 
for the repeal of the corn-laws. After great discussion, this 
important bill was passed; sir Robert Peel aud his colleagues 
immediately resigned; and soon after the anti-coru-law league 
was dissolved. The formation of a new ministry devolved on 
lord John Russell. The failure of the potato crop again in 
1846, combined with a deficient harvest throughout Europe, 
produced great and general distress; and in the west of Scot¬ 
land, but especially in Ireland, occasioned intense suffering; 
in the latter country, multitudes perished from famine and 
disease. Every effort, however, was made by public munifi¬ 
cence and private liberality to arrest the progress of these 
calamities; and, by the goodness of the Almighty, a most 
bountiful harvest following the year of scarcity, the nation 
was once more blessed with plenty and abundance. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. How was the accession of Queen Victoria received ? 

2. What subjects occupied the attention of her first parliament? 

3. When did the coronation of the queen take place? 

4. What events led to the occupation of Afghanistan by an Anglo- 

Indian army? 

5. What was the state of feeling in China, and the West Indies, at this 

period? 

6. What demand of the Chartists disturbed the public peace? 

7. What were the chief events of the year 1840? 

8. How were the differences with China settled? 

9. What disasters befell the British army in Afghanistan? and how 

were they retrieved ? 

10. On what terms was peace finally established with China? 

11. How were matters at home proceeding at this period, particularly in 

Wales ? 

12. What serious engagements occurred on the Indian frontier, with 

treacherous allies, immediately after the Afghan war? 

13. What important measures were effected by sir Robert Peel’s govern. 

ment? and by what means was the repeal of the corn-laws pro¬ 
moted? 

14. What was the state of Ireland at this period ? What important po 

litical measure was hastened on by the failure of the harvest? 



VICTORIA. 


4G1 


SECTION II. 

The stately homes of England, 

How beautiful they stand ! 

Amidst their tall, ancestral trees, 

O'er all the pleasant land.— Mrs He.ma.ns. 

1. The opulent, dwellers, in what Mrs. Ilenians styles “the 
stately homes of England/’—the nobility and gentry, as well 
as the wealthy middle class — experienced a new call upon 
their wonted liberality in the year 1847, when another defi¬ 
cient harvest, and the utter failure of the potato crop, created 
a recurrence of the sad scenes of famine and destitution in 
Ireland and the west of Scotland. Benevolent persons in the 
United States of America also contributed liberally to the 
relief of the suffering poor in Ireland, by sending over cargoes 
of provisions from their own abundant harvests. Numbers, 
nevertheless, perished from famine and its attendant diseases. 

2. The Orleans dynasty was not of long continuance. All 
Louis Philippe’s energies had been 
devoted to the aggrandizement of 
his family; many stringent measures 
against the liberties of the French 
people had gradually weakened their 
affection. Dreading an outbreak, 
he fortified Paris under a pretence 
of safety against a foreign foe; but, 
in reality, to secure himself from 
insurrection. The king issued an 
ordinance declaring the Reform 
banquets, which were held at va¬ 
rious places in France, illegal; and 
the attempt to suppress one in 
Paris, in February, 1848, led to an 
insurrection. Some of the troops 
joined the people ; the palace was 
attacked, and the king fled in disguise. A republic was de¬ 
clared, and a provisional government formed. After various 
changes, Louis Napoleon, nephew of the Emperor Napoleon, 
was made President of the Republic for four years. Louis 
Philippe and his family retired to England, where that monarch 
soon after died. 

3. The nation suffered a great loss in the death of sir Robert 
Peel. He was thrown from his horse in St. James’s Park, 
and so injured that he survived but a few hours. His loss 
was much regretted* and to him the nation is itidebted for 

, 2q2 



























462 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


many improvements in their commercial and domestic policy. 
His death occurred July 2d, 1850. 

4. In 1851, the fairy palace, erected in Hyde Park, was 
opened to the public. It was, in every respect, a triumph j 
and people flocked to the “Great Exhibition ” from all parts 
of the globe. The contents of the mammoth fabric were of 
wonderful variety. It contained colossal statuary, and the 
miniature needle; the fur dress of the Greenlander, and the 
silken robe of Persia; the Damascus blade, and the stone 
hatchet used in the isles of the Pacific; the golden altar of 
extraordinary value from Spain, and the rude idols from 
Australia. In this “ Crystal Palace,” productions from every 
part of the globe were collected; and, amongst these, the fruits 
of native industry occupied an honorable position. The build¬ 
ing was in the form of a Gothic cathedral, and some of the 
tallest elms in the park were sheltered under its roof. 

5. The electric telegraph between France and England was 
completed. This new and important invention was now in 
general tise, both in England and on the continent of Europe. 



Duke of Wellingt on. 

6. Arthur, Duke of Wellington, died suddenly at Walner 
Castle, December 14th, 1852. He was one of England’s 
greatest generals, and, although he had fought many battles, 
vet he never experienced a defeat. Deep and sincere was the 

















VICTORIA. 


463 


lamentation of the English people at his decease. He was 
buried in St. Paul’s cathedral with much solemnity, and all 
classes vied in paying honors to this truly noble and great man. 

7. After repeated defeat, and resignation, lord John Rus¬ 
sell’s weak administration retired from office in February, 1852, 
and was succeeded by a conservative government 

8. On the 7th of November, 1852, a sevatus consultum was 
issued by Napoleon to the French nation, proposing the re¬ 
establishment of the empire. The people having, by an im¬ 
mense majority, expressed their desire for the change, the 
empire was proclaimed on the 2d of December. 

9. The financial measures of lord Derby’s administration 
met with considerable opposition ; and a hostile vote in the 
house of Commons led to the resignation of ministers. They 
retired in December, 1852, after a short tenure of office of 
nearly ten months’ duration. A coalition cabinet, composed 
of Whig, Peelitc, and Radical legislators, under the premier¬ 
ship of lord Aberdeen, succeeded to power. As many of the 
new ministers were not only men of recognized ability, but 
had, at various periods, held office, great expectations were 
formed respecting them. 

10. For many years a dispute had raged at Constantinople 
between the Latin and Greek churches, with reference to the 
guardianship of the holy places in Jerusalem. France 
espoused the cause of the Latin, and Russia that of the Greek, 
church. In November, 1852, the czar Nicholas first put for¬ 
ward that claim to a protectorate of the Greek Christians in 
Turkey, which lord John Russell afterwards so injudiciously 
admitted. The preposterous demand was based upon a forced 
interpretation of certain passages in the treaty of Kainardji, 
concluded between Russia and Turkey in 1771. The rather 
acrimonious discussion that took place between France and 
Russia, respecting the key of the church of Bethlehem, brought 
the matter fully before the public. In the course of the dis¬ 
pute, both parties threatened hostile measures; and, while the 
Russian army on the Pruth was re-inforced, and put in readi¬ 
ness for an advance, the French fleet in the Mediterranean 
approached the Bosphorus. Early in 1853, a favourable 
change occurred, and as the rival powers seemed willing to 
make reasonable concessions, hopes were entertained of an 
amicable solution of the difficulty. These were suddenly dis¬ 
pelled by the arrival at Constantinople, in February, 1853, 
of Prince Menschikoff, on an extraordinary mission. The real 
nature of his mysterious errand did not transpire until May, 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


4Gi 

when his demands were found to be altogether incompatible 
with ihe dignity of the suitan as an independent sovereign. 

11. These demands were of course rejected; and, in spite 
of the anxiety of the sultan and his ministers to make every 
reasonable concession, the Russian troops crossed the Pruth 
early in July, atid proceeded to occupy the principalities of 
Moldavia and YV allachia. After this act of aggression, various 
attempts were made to settle the matter by negotiation, but 
they a j 1 failed; and, on the 5th of October, the Porte formally 
declared war. On the 14th, the combined fleets of France 

and England passed the Dardanelles, at the request of the 
eultan. 



12. The Turks rushed to the rescue of the principalities, 
and, under the judicious guidance of Omar Pasha, gained 
many brilliant victories. The Russians, defeated on land, de¬ 
termined to strike a blow at the Turkish navy, and committed 
.he unparalleled outrage at Sinope, which at once excited the 
indignation of Europe. The Turkish fleet, riding in fancied 
security, almost within sight of the armaments of the western 










































































VICTORIA. 


46ft 


powers, was ruthless’v attacked by an overwhelming force, and 
destroyed. This wanton assault by the stronger on the weaker 
state, showed that nothing but the most vigorous measures 
could bring Russia to submission. 

13. The English government displayed an unfortunate re- 
pugnanee to resist force by force, but events hurried them on, 
and, in March, 1854, a royal message was communicated to 
both houses of parliament, proclaiming war against Russia. 
Even after this, English ministers clung to diplomacy, and 
talked loudly of pacific measures, while they pretended to be 
preparing for an energetic prosecution of the contest. 

14. The emperor Napoleon III., having been duly recog¬ 
nized by foreign powers, looked out for a partner to share his 
throne. Instead of seeking an alliance with a royal house, 
he selected Eugenie de Montejo, countess of Teba, for his 
bride. The marriage was solemnized in January, 1853; and 
the romantic manner in which the whole affair had been ar¬ 
ranged, rendered it particularly interesting to the French 
people. During this eventful year, a fusion between two 
branches of the Bourbon family was effected, and the duke of 
Bordeaux acknowledged by all, excepting the duchess of 
Orleans, as the rightful heir to the French throne. 

15. The queen of Portugal died on the 15th of November, 
1853, and was succeeded by her eldest son, under the title of 
Don Pedro V. Several ministerial changes occurred in Spain, 
in which country the despotic interference of the queen-mother, 
Christina, produced discontent, and led to rebellion. In Feb¬ 
ruary, an attempt was made upon the life of the emperor of 
Austria, but the assassin was disarmed and captured before 
he could effect his purpose, and soon afterwards suffered the 
extreme penalty of the law. 

16. A fire broke out in Windsor Castle, March 19th, 1853, 
but it was happily extinguished before much damage had been 
done to that noble residence, endeared to the country by so 
many associations. 

17. The year 1854 was, in many respects, a memorable one. 
While the much-despised Turks were gaining renown in ex¬ 
pelling the Russians from the principalities, France and Eng¬ 
land were engaged in making preparations to take part in the 
contest. Lord Raglan was appointed to command the English 
army, which reached Gallipoli in the spring. The Turks pur¬ 
sued their victorious career on the banks of the Danube; the 
Russians, having been defeated in many desperate attempts, 
abandoned the siege of Salishia, and virtually withdrew from 


166 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


the contest in that direction. In the meantime, the allieci 
fleets had not been altogether idle. The Russians violated the 
laws of honourable warfare by firing upon a flag of truce; and, 
soon after the commission of this outrage, the allied squadrons 
bombarded Odessa. The attack lasted the whole day, April 
22d. All the batteries erected for the defence of this com¬ 
mercial city were silenced — some of them having been mate¬ 
rially damaged, and others entirely destroyed. 

18. The crowning event of the year was the expedition, 
composed of French, Turkish, and English soldiers, which 
sailed from the Turkish shores in the autumn. Its departure 
had been delayed by the terrible ravages of the cholera amongst 
the troops, and from the destruction of stores, caused by a 
disastrous fire, which broke out in a mysterious manner at 
Varna. The Russians did not attempt to dispute the landing 
of the expeditionary force ; but retreated to a strong position 
on the Alma, from which they were driven, with great 
slaughter, by the French, English, and Turkish armies, on the 
20th of September. Although the Russians fought obsti¬ 
nately at first, they were so awed by the determined manner 
in which the English troops carried the heights — for their 
men advanced up to the terrible batteries — that they fled, in 
utter confusion, from a position which their commander had 
just before boasted he could hold against any assailant for 
several days. There can be little doubt that, if the allied 
army had possessed a proper cavalry force, or its leaders had 
known the real condition of the enemy, the Russians might 
have been completely subdued, and Sebastopol gained without 
further trouble. Rut the expedition was, in too many respects, 
a “ leap in the darkhence, its numerous failures, and the 
disappointment and suffering that ensued. 

19. The first bombardment commenced October 17th, but 
the results were unsatisfactory. In the meantime, the Rus¬ 
sian government sent large re-inforcements to their army in 
the Crimea, determined, if possible, to expel the allies. The 
battle of Ralaklava was fought October 25th, when the Eng¬ 
lish cavalry made that celebrated charge, so disastrous, and yet 
so glorious. The Russians quailed before their band of heroes, 
who rode gallantly f >rward to almost certain destruction. 

20. The occupatam, by the Austrians, of the Danubian 
principalities, released a large portion of the Russian army, 
which was at once despatched to the relief of Sebastopol. 
Having been harangued by the grand duke, excited by mili¬ 
tary and religious ceremonies, and well primed with intoxi- 


VICTORIA. 


467 


sating beverages, these troops advanced in overwhelming 
numbers upou the English lines. In the dense fog of a 
November morning, they swarmed through the valley of 
Inkermann, surprised, and carried the English outposts, and 
commenced the battle with every advantage. But, for sevcu 
hours on that terrible 5th of November, the small band of 
English soldiers maintained their ground against their nume¬ 
rous assailants. It was truly a soldier’s battle. The general 
determination was victory or death. At length, General Bos¬ 
quet arrived at the scene of the struggle, with the gallant 
French allies, and, from that moment, the issue was no longer 
doubtful. The Russians were driven into Sebastopol with 
fearful loss, and that victory terminated the first campaign. 
The Muscovite hordes, naturally enough, felt unwilling to face 
men who would not yield an inch of ground, but fought even 
against hope. 

21. A violent storm committed sad havoc amongst the 
shipping, riding at anchor outside the little harbor at Balak- 
lava, in which the Prince , Reso/ule , and several other noble 
vessels, foundered. The catastrophe of the 14th of November 
will long occupy a prominent place in the annals of disasters 
at sea. 

22. Lord Aberdeen’s government did not realize the high 
expectations that had been formed respecting it. In home 
legislator it was particularly unfortunate; and its feeble direc¬ 
tion of the war created alarm and disquietude. Lord John 
Russell’s loudly-heralded reform bill proved a failure; and 
this minister’s attempt to repeal the parliamentary oaths was 
defeated by a majority of five. 

23. Oil the 20th of June, 1854, the queen opened the 
Crystal Palace, at Sydenham, with great solemnity. She was 
attended by her ministers and foreign ambassadors, and about 
forty thousand persons were present at the ceremony. 

24. Towards the close of 1853, the cholera again manifested 
itself in the north of England. It reached the metropolis 
early in the following year, and committed fearful ravages, 
But the visitation of 1853 and 1854 was not so fatal in its 
effects as that of 1849 had been. 

25. In the midsummer of lb04, Madrid became the theatre 
of an insurrection. The flight of the queen mother, Christina, 
the dismissal of her favourites, and the formation of a constitu¬ 
tional government under Espartero, had the effect of quelling 
the storm, and saved the young queen’s throne. 

26. The year 1855 opened gloomily enough. The sad con 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 


n8 

iition of the army in the Crimea excited general indignation ; 
30 terrible were the evils of mismanagement, that hundreds 
of brave soldiers perished from the effects of exposure. Mr. 
Roebuck brought forward a motion for inquiry, which, on the 
29th of January, was carried by a majority of 157. Thus fell 
the Aberdeen administration, just two years after it had ob 
tained power. After some delay, lord Palmerston succeeded 
in forming a second coalition ; but a slight difficulty having 
occurred respecting the Sebastopol committee, the Peelites 
goon after seceded, and left lord Palmerston sole master. 

27. On the 3d of March, the public were surprised by the 
announcement of the sudden death of the real author of the 
war, the emperor Nicholas. The adhesion of Sardinia to the 
western alliance, and the visit of the emperor Napoleon and 
his empress to England, and their enthusiastic reception, in 
some degree restored public confidence. During the summer, 
Victoria returned the visit, and was received at Paris with 
general rejoicing. 

28. It was supposed by many that the death of the czar 
would ensure the restoration of peace; and the conferences, 
re-opened at Vienna during the year 1855, were watched with 
considerable interest. Although the English plenipotentiary, 
lord John Russell, made the most disgraceful sacrifices, and 
actually abandoned every point which he had been sent out t'j 
maintain, the arrogance of Russia was such that she would 
make no concessions. Lord John Russell’s vacillation raised 
a storm in the country, and he was afterwards compelled to 
resign his post as minister of the crown. 

29. Meanwhile the war was waged with reuewed vigour. 
The second bombardment of Sebastopol commenced on the 
9th of April; and several expeditions were organized in the 
Crimea, most of which were completely successful. After the 
third bombardment, which opened on the 6th of June, the 
French gained possession of the Mamelon, whilst the English 
won the Quarries. On the 18th (the anniversary of Waterloo), 
the French assailed the Malakoff—and the English, the 
Redan ; but the gallantry and devotion of the troops were not 
rewarded with success. The failure preyed on lord Raglan’s 
mijid ; and he was soon after .attacked by disease, which car¬ 
ried him off on the 28th of June. His mild and gracious 
oehaviour at the council-board and in the private circle, as 
well as his coolness in the field of battle, won the admiration 
of all. He will ever be remembered as the good lord Raglan 
His gentle nature shone like a star amid the elements of strife 


VICTORIA 


469 


atwl -ontention. But he was not the man for the emergencies 
in w ,-*ich he was jailed upon to act a leading part. 

So. On the Itnh of August the Russians crossed the Tclier- 
naya, and made a desperate effort to relieve tlm doomed for¬ 
tress of Sebastopol, hut were repulsed by the French and 
Sardinians with great loss. This was their last effort. The 
French gained possession of the Malakoff on the 8th of Sep¬ 
tember, on which occasion the English again failed in an attack 
upon the Redan ; but, on the following day, the Russians 
evacuated the southern portion of Sebastopol. Thus, within 
twelve months of the landing of the allied armies in the 
Crimea, the “standing menace” had been wrested from the 
foe — and the fleet, which committed the outrage at Sinope, 
totally destroyed. 

31. While these events were in progress in Europe, war 
had been waged in the Asiatic dominions of the sultan. Gen¬ 
eral Williams was sent by the English government to tho 
Turkish army, and, by his efforts, order and discipline were 
established. On the 29th of September, the garrison of Kars, 
under the direction of this gallant British officer, repulsed tho 
Russians, wdio assaulted it with immensely superior forces. 
But no succor reached the heroic garrison; and, although the 
Turks endured their sufferings with great constancy, and 
fou<rht like lions whenever the enemy appeared, they were 
finally compelled to surrender, and Kars fell on the 28th of 
November. An expedition despatched from the Crimea, in 
October, to the entrance of the Bug and the Dnieper, obtained 
signal success. Kinburn was captured, and a French and 
English force established there. Some naval operations in 
the sea of Azoff were in every respect successful; and, with 
these, the campaign of 1855 closed. 

32. This triumph led to the revival of negotiations. Aus¬ 
tria proposed an ultimatum, which was eventually accepted by 
Russia, and conferences were opened at Paris early in the 
year. Russia, having learned wisdom from adversity, made 
certain concessions; and, on the 30th of March, 1856, the 
treaty of Paris was signed, which restored tranquillity to Europe. 

33. Meantime, Great Britain became involved in a serious 
dispute with China. It arose out of a trifling incident. A 
Chinese lorcha (a small vessel,) was fired upon by the Chinese 
for some infraction of their police regulations. She was said 
to have borne the British flag, and the act of the Chinese 
authorities was resented as a national insult, though it has 
Qevor been proved that she was under English colors. The 


470 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


commissioner, Yeh, was called upon for reparation, which ho 
refused. This led to actual hostilities, during which the naval 
force of the United States became involved; and France also 
took part in the conflict by sendirig out a strong armament. 
Great Britain deputed lord Elgin as ambassador to negotiate 
a settlement of the difficulties, and he was accompanied by a 
large force to support his pretensions. France also despatched 
thither an ambassador, and Mr. William B. Heed was sent out 
on the part of the United States. The English bombarded 
and took Canton. Yeh was made prisoner, but the emperor 
showed no disposition to yield. The real object of all these 
operations was to compel the Chinese to open their ports to 
foreign nations, on a more liberal policy than hitherto. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What is said of the famine? 

2. Of the French revolution? 

3. Of sir Robert Peel ? 

4. Of the Crystal Palace? 

5. Of the telegraph ? 

6. Of the duke of Wellington? 

7. Of lord John Russell’s administration? 

8. Of Louis Napoleon ? 

9. Of lord Derby’s administration ? 

10. Describe the origin of the war between Russia and the allied powers 

11. What countries did the Russians invade? 

12. What followed ? 

13. What was done by England ? 

14. By the emperor Louis Napoleon? 

15. What transpired in Portugal? 

16. What happened at Windsor? 

17. What were the first military events of 1854? 

IS. What expedition was undertaken by the allies? Describe the battle 
of the Alma ? 

19. What is said of the first bombardment ? Of the Russians ? Of 

Balaklava ? 

20. Of the Austrians? Of Inkermann? 

21. Of the storm of November 14th? 

22. Of lord Aberdeen’s government? 

23. Of the Crystal Palace? 

24. Of the cholera? 

25. What took place in Spain? 

26. What were the early events of 1S55? 

27. What is said of the czar? 

28. Of the attempts to make peace? 

29. Of the military operations in the Crimea? Of lord Raglan? 

30 Of operations in the Crimea? 

31. What military operations took place in Asia? 

32. How was the treaty of peace accomplished, and when was it signec. 

33. VVhat is said of the war with China? 










i " 
















' 












































































TK« i\Uw Houses of Parhiini«i>i 



























































































































































































































































































VICTORIA. 


4Y3 


SECTION III. 

“Jten only disagree 

Of creatures rational, though under hope 
Of heavenly grace, and God's proclaiming peace, 

Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife 
Among themselves, and levy cruel wars. 

Wasting the earth, each other to destroy.”— Milton. 


1. Tiie objects sought by the late war were only par* 
tially secured by the peace of Paris. Russia had gained 
largely in prestige, and her losses could readily he repaired. 
The peaceful coronation of the new czar attested internal 
harmony, while abroad the co-operation of Austria and 
Prussia was pledged in opposition to the western powers. 
The Franco-English alliance depended upon the policy of 
Napoleon, whose health was reported precarious and his 
brain distempered. 

2. The commission appointed at Paris to mature a plan 
for oiganizing the provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia, 
had accomplished nothing. Turkey had formerly main¬ 
tained over them a nominal supremacy, exacting moderate 
tribute, but powerless to interfere in their internal govern¬ 
ment or to invest their territory with troops. The hospo- 
dars were elected by the nobles, receiving investiture from 
the sultan with Russia’s approval. The Russians had 
ruthlessly invaded these provinces, followed by the Aus¬ 
trians, who retained possession. 

3. Though England and France desired to gratify their 
Turkish ally, it was their policy to unite the two princi¬ 
palities into one government, which might serve as a 
barrier against the advance of Austria or Russia towards 
the mouth of the Danube. While Russia remained neu¬ 
tral, Turkey and Austria opposed the project, lest Euro¬ 
pean Turkey and the Austrian provinces should unite 
with them in one independent state. 

4. The congress of Paris next assumed supervision over 
the affairs of the minor powers. The tyrannous adminis¬ 
tration of the king of Naples led France and England to 
apprehend an insurrection, which might endanger the 
tranquillity of Europe. These powers remonstrated with 
Ferdinand ; but their remonstrances were futile, and after 
a brisk, diplomatic correspondence, a French and English 
fleet prepared to enter the bay of Naples. 

5. All these vexed questions of European diplomacy 

2 R 2 


47 4 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


were amicably adjusted by a new congress, held in Paris 
in January, i857. The isle of Serpents was ceded to 
Turkey. Russia, for an equivalent, yielded the town of 
Belgrade and withdrew from the Danube, while Austria 
agreed to evacuate the principalities. 

6. A quarrel arose at this time between Russia and 
England. Near the confines of Persia is the town of 
Herat, a place of considerable commercial and military 
importance. Great Britain, apprehending danger to her 
dominions in India, sought to preserve the independence 
of Herat from Persian and Russian control. To effect 
this, a treaty had been made with Persia, which treaty 
the shah now openly violated, by investing the town with 
Persian troops. This was a virtual surrender of the place 
to the Russians, whose supremacy was acknowledged by 
the shah. The demand of England for the evacuation of 
the place by the Persians being unheeded, an expedition 
was fitted out at Bombay and sent to enforce compliance. 

7. Herat and the whole surrounding territory fell into 
the hands of the Persians, and Afghanistan acknowledged 
the dominion of the shah. Meanwhile Russia had col¬ 
lected an army of 40,000 men on the borders of Persia, 
and a war between Russia and England seemed imminent. 
The measure was unpopular, and hostilities were checked 
by a treaty at Paris, which treaty secured to England 
important commercial advantages, and the position of 
arbiter in the disputes between Persia and Afghanistan. 

8. During the year 1856, hostilities broke out between 
the British and Chinese. An English trading vessel, 
charged with piracy, was captured near Canton, and three 
of the crew put to death. The British consul being denied 
redress for this outrage, demanded and obtained the aid 
of the English fleet. After destroying several forts, the 
admiral laid siege to the city. During the bombardment, 
a breach having been effected in the walls, a party of 250 
men forced their way into the city, and held temporary 
possession of the governor’s palace. A few days later, the 
Boque forts below the city were captured by the English, 
and a terrible slaughter made of those defending them. 

9. The Americans and French also became involved in 
quarrels with the Chinese authorities, resulting from the 
aggressive movements of the latter. The capture of 
several forts by the Americans, and the successful bom¬ 
bardment of a town by the French, forced the Chinese to 


VICTORIA. 


475 


sue for peace and desist from further hostility in that 
direction. 

10. Parliament opened February 3d, 1857. The Chi¬ 
nese war was the prominent question of the day. The 
commercial classes were vehement in their opposition to 
its prosecution, and public meetings were held in London 
and elsewhere, at which meetings denunciatory resolutions 
were passed. In parliament, the discussion was animated 
and protracted. The house of peers, by a small majority, 
sustained the administration, while the commons by a 
smaller majority condemned it. By the advice of the 
crown, through its ministers, parliament was thereupon 
dissolved, and a new election ordered, to test the wishes 
of the country on the subject of the war. 

11. The elections for members of parliament resulted 
very decidedly in favour of the Palmerston ministry. The 
avowed policy of the administration in reference to China 
had been, to maintain there, as elsewhere, security for the 
lives* and property of British subjects; to uphold the 
rights of England as secured by treaty, and to aid the 
cause of civilization by the extension of commercial inter¬ 
course. The aggressive movements of China left no alter¬ 
native, and the administration, sustained by the popular 
vote, made extensive preparations for carrying on the war. 

12. Lord Elgin, plenipotentiary to China, was em¬ 
powered to direct warlike operations, and to demand the 
following concessions: That the old treaties be renewed, 
and include eight ports instead of five; that English 
vessels have access to any port for repairs or from stress 
of weather; that England should have a college at Pekin 
to conduct official business with the Chinese government; 
and that the English should have military posts in all 
towns where their consuls resided, and be allowed to main¬ 
tain forts at Canton and Pekin. 

13. The struggle still continued at Canton, the suburbs 
of which city had been set on fire by the English, causing 
much damage. The Chinese throughout this entire con¬ 
test manifested no little degree of courage, and the Eng¬ 
lish were at last obliged to retire to Hong-Ivong, there to 
await reinforcements from India. 

14. Lord Palmerston announced to parliament the 
queen’s assent to the proposed marriage of the princess 
royal to prince Frederick William of Prussia, and her 
majesty’s request for suitable provision for her daughter 


476 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


befitting her exalted rank. An appropriation was made 
of £40,000 as a marriage portion, together with an an¬ 
nuity of £8000. 

15. A bill modifying the form of the oath administered 
in parliament, so that Jews might be eligible thereunder 
to seats in that body, was passed by the commons, but 
rejected by the peers. Baron Rothschild was thereby 
forced to resign as a member. 

16. The subject of “free emigration of negroes from 
Africa” gave rise to much discussion, and an address 
thereon was submitted to the queen. Her majesty, how¬ 
ever, discountenanced the measure, as, in her belief, its 
tendency would be to promote slavery. 

17. An order in council was issued, granting to prince 
Albert the title of prince consort during the joint lives 
of her majesty and himself. Previously, the prince had 
held no English title. 


% 

Questions for Examination. 

1. What is said of the peace of Paris? Of Russia? Of the Franco- 

English alliance? 

2. What of Moldavia and Wallachia? 

3. What wns the policy of France and England in regard to these 

principalities? Of Russia? Turkey and Austria? 

4. What of Naples and Ferdinand? 

5. What was the result of the peace congress of 1857 ? 

6. State the cause of the quarrel between Persia and England. 

7. The result of this quarrel. 

8. What led to hostilities between the British and Chinese? What 

course was pursued by the British fleet? 

9. How did the Americans and French become involved ? 

10. When did parliament open? What action was taken in relation to 

the Chinese war ? 

11. How did the election result? What was the policy of the adminis¬ 

tration ? What was done by it? 

12. What concessions were demanded of China? 

13. Of Canton? What were the English obliged to do? 

14. What of the princess royal ? 

15. Of the Jews in parliament? 

16. Of the free emigration of negroes? 

17. Of prince Albert's title ? 



VICTORIA. 


m 


SECTION IV. 

I ( a . is come to ope the testament 
Of bleeding w&r.—Shukspeare. 

1. The war with Russia had greatly increased the burden 
of taxation in Great Britain, and had impaired its military 
Btiength. But it was soon followed by another war, which 
was not less expensive, and impaired far more seriously the 
military strength of the empire. We refer, of course, to the 
destructive war which was kindled by the mutiny of the sepoys 
in India. This is so serious an affair, that we shall give its 
incidents more particularly than in ordinary cases. 

2. In the spring of 185b, lord Dalhousie ceased to be 
governor-general of India, and was succeeded by Viscount 
Canning. 

3. Secured from all apprehension of foreign enemies, and 
ruling an apparently prosperous and happy people, lord Can¬ 
ning entered upon the government of India with fairer pros¬ 
pects than any governor-general since the first conquest of 
that country. Not many months, however, elapsed before a 
naval and military expedition was on its way from Bombay to 
Bushire, and war was publicly declared against the Shah-in- 
Shah. After two or three slight actions, in which the Per¬ 
sians were immediately put to flight, the king of kings was 
constrained to sue for peace, and to accept the easy conditions 
which were imposed upon him. The British troops were then 
recalled to India, and arrived only in time to encounter the 
most imminent peril that has ever menaced the Eastern empire 
of Britain. 

4. It had long been notorious that the Mohammedans of 
Upper India were discontented with their subordinate position, 
and that their idle and sensual habits rendered them insolent 
and fractious. This feeling of unquiet was not a little embit¬ 
tered by the decision arrived at with regard to the titular 
dignity of the king of Delhi. The court of directors had 
authorized lord Dalhousie, on the death of the heir-apparent 
in 1849, to “ terminate the dynasty of Timour, whenever the 
rehming king should die.” But as these instructions had 
been issued with great reluctance, the governor-general had 
recourse to a compromise, aud agreed to recognize the king’s 
grandson as heir-apparent, on condition that he quitted the 
fortress at Delhi for the royal palace at the Kootub. The 
royal family had no choice but to submit, though the humilia¬ 
tion tc which they were about to be subjected rankled in theii 


478 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


bosoms, and in those of the Delhi Mohammedans generally. 
They were too sensible, however, of their weakness, to attempt 
any opposition to the powerful British government, until an 
opportunity presented itself in a quarter where, perhaps, it was 
least expected. 

5. From the time when lord Hastings created the Nawab 
of Oude an independent king, and freed him from his alle 
giance to his. rightful suzerain, the king of Delhi, there had 
been a feud between those two houses, inflamed by their dif¬ 
ference in religious matters—the one being a bigoted Soonnee, 
the otuer as fanatical a Sheeah. But the dethronement of 
Wajid Ally Shah, and the annexation of his kingdom, gave 
deep offence to a large portion of the Bengal army, who wero 
natives of Oude, and drew together in one common cause the 
Mohammedans of both sects. Still it was clear that, from 
their numerical inferiority, the Mohammedans alone could not 
hope to break the English yoke from off their necks, so long 
as the Hindoo soldiery remained true to their salt. Unfortu¬ 
nately, circumstances occurred to remove this obstacle. From 
various causes, which it would be tedious to enumerate, a sus¬ 
picion had seized the credulous and childish mind of the 
Hindoos that their religion, and, above all, their caste, were 
in danger. It had been sedulously spread abroad that the 
British government, relying on its power, had resolved to 
compel all its subjects to embrace the Christian religion ; and, 
to render this the more easy, had devised a means for defiling 
the whole of their Hindoo sepoys. This notable device was 
no other than to issue cartridges greased with pig’s and bul¬ 
lock’s fat for the Enfield rifles, the ends of which must bo 
bitten off before they could be used. Thus every Hindoo 
soldier would become unclean and an outcast, and have no 
other resource than to join the religion of his deceitful masters. 
Mohammedan emissaries carefully fanned the latent sparks of 
disaffection, and presently the smouldering fire burst forth into 
a fierce, devouring conflagration. 

6. The first symptoms of a mutinous spirit manifested 
themselves in the 19th and 34th regiments, both of which 
were disbanded, and one man of the 34th hanged for wound¬ 
ing the adjutant and sergeant-major. Their example was fol¬ 
lowed by the 3d Oude irregular infantry, stationed at Luck 
now, who were compelled by sir Henry Lawreuce to lay down 
their arms, and their ringleaders punished. On the 6th of 
May, eighty-five men of the 3d light cavalry at Meerut refused 
to use the new cartridges, and other symptoms of discontent 


VICTORIA. 


479 


were evinced, but disregarded-. On the 10th, the troops broke 
out into open mutiny, killed many of the officers, and other 
Europeans (men, women, and children,) at the station, and 
finally went off to Delhi. This course was dictated by the 
fact that there was in the neighbourhood, at the time, ample 
means for cutting the mutineers off, but for the culpable inac¬ 
tivity of general Hewitt, commander of the station. 

7. On the 11th of May, the mutineers from Meerut entered 
Delhi, and were instantly joined by the native troops there, 
who proclaimed the titular king of Delhi to be emperor of 
Tuolia, massacred all the European residents they could find, 
and even plundered the stores and dwellings of wealthy 
natives. A handful of determined men, however, under the 
command of lieutenant Willoughby, succeeded in blowing up 
the arsenal, and thus prevented an immense amount of ammu¬ 
nition from falling into the hands of the mutineers. It has 
been observed by the author of an article in the Edinburgh 
Review, referring to the mutinous occupation of the Monghol 
capital on the morning of the 11th of May, that, “if all the 
movements of the revolt had been pre-arranged, there could 
have been no better stroke of tactics than this: Delhi is the 
chief city of Mohammedan India; the ‘imperial city/ the 
‘city of the Mogul:’ it had been the home of those mighty 
emperors who had ruled so long in Hindostan — of Shir Shah, 
of Akbar, and of Aurungzebe; and was still the residence of 
their fallen successors, the titular kings of Delhi, whom, fifty 
years ago, our armies had rescued frourthe grasp of the Mah- 
rattas. Beyond the palace walls these remnants of royalty 
had no power; they had no territory, no revenue, no authority. 
In our eyes they were simply pensioners and puppets. Vir¬ 
tually, indeed, the Mogul was extinct. But not so in the 
minds of the people of India. Empty as was the sovereignty 
of the Mogul, it was still a living fact in the minds of the 
Hindoos and Mohammedans, especially in Upper India.” 

8. The rebellion now spread rapidly through the presidency 
of Bengal, as well as in other parts of India. At Umballah, 
the rebels, between the 26t,h of March and the 1st of Maj, 
kindled fifteen incendiary fires, by which an immense amount 
of ammunition, government stores, and private property, were 
destroyed, but the garrison was saved from destruction by the 
timely arrival of a re inforcement of European troops from 
Kussowlee. The whole kingdom of Oude, with the exception 
of Lucknow, its capital, was soon in the hands of the insur¬ 
gents. Benares and Allahabad witnessed the revolt of many 


480 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



I'he Massacre at Cawnpore. 







































VICTORIA. 


481 


regiments, and were saved from capture only by a frightful 
expense of bloodshed and havoc. Similar outbreaks took 
place at Juanpore, Sultanpore, Agra, Bareilly, and other 
stations. 

9. The mutiny had now become very widefy extended, and 
the situation of the British posts, still holding to their fidelity, 
was becoming daily more perilous. 

10. At Lucknow, sir Henry Lawrence attacked and defeated 
a numerous body of insurgents, but was soon afterward him¬ 
self besieged in the residency. Here he bravely held out 
against overwhelming numbers until the beginning of July, 
when he was mortally wounded in a sally, and the heroic little 
baud compelled to retire into a smaller fort. 

11. At Cawnpore a terrible disaster befell the British arms. 
Sir Hugh Wheeler, a veteran officer of approved bravery, had 
entrenched himself in the barracks with a force of less than 
300 fighting men, and upward of 500 women and children, the 
wives and families of officers and civilians, and of the queen’s 
82d regiment then besieged at Lucknow. The insurgents were 
commanded by Nena Sahib, or, rather, Dhandoo Pant, Rajah 
of Bhitoor, the adopted son of the late Peishwah Bajee Kao. 
This man, under the mask of kindly feeling toward the English, 
nurtured a deadly hatred against the government which had 
-efused to acknowledge his claims as the Peishwah’s successor. 
He had long been addicted to the most revolting sensuality, and 
uad lost all control over his passions. Wearied aud enraged 
jy the desperate resistance of this handful of brave men, he 
offered them a safe passage to Allahabad if they would give 
up their guns and treasure. The place, indeed, was no longer 
tenable; and the survivors, diminished in number, were ex¬ 
hausted by constant vigils aud want of food. In an evil 
moment, then, they accepted the terms of their perfidious 
enemy, marched down to the river, and embarked on board the 
boats which had been prepared for them. Suddenly a masked 
battery opened fire upon them, and crowds of horse and foot 
soldiers lined either bank. Many were shot dead, still more 
were drowned, and about 150 taken prisoners; four only 
escaped by swimming. The men were instantly put to death 
in cold blood; the women and children were spared for a few 
days longer. 

12. All this time the main body of the rebels, frequently 
strengthened by fresh arrivals, had their head-quarters at 
Delhi. On the lower plateau that commauds that city was en¬ 
camped a British force burning for revenge, but too weak t* 

2 S 


482 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


venture upon an assault. On every occasion, however, they 
repulsed the repeated sorties of the enemy, and drove them, 
with great slaughter, within the walls. A strange mortality 
deprived them of their commanders at brief intervals. Gen. 
Ansoc died of cholera at Kurnaul, on his way down from the 
hills. His successor, sir Henry Barnard, was carried off by the 
same disease before the walls of Delhi. The third was general 
lleid, whose health likewise failed him, and compelled him to 
resign the command to brigadier Wilson 

18. No sooner had the sad tidings of the massacre at Delhi 
reached Calcutta, than the governor general instantly dis¬ 
patched a vessel to Ceylon to intercept the troops proceeding 
to China, in support of lord Elgin’s mission. At the same 
time he telegraphed to Madras and Bombay for all the Eu¬ 
ropean troops that could be spared ; and, on the death of gen¬ 
eral Anson, appointed sir Patrick Grant commander-in-chief 
of the forces in India, pending the confirmation of the appoint¬ 
ment by the home government. Large re-inforcements were 
also drawn from Mauritius and the Cape; and, as the mutiny 
assumed still more formidable dimensions, the European resi¬ 
dents in Madras and Calcutta were enrolled into voluntary 
corps of horse and foot militia. 

14. Never, perhaps, did greater excitement prevail in Eng¬ 
land than when the first intelligence arrived of the revolt of the 
Bengal army, and of the fiendish atrocities perpetrated by sol 
diers whose loyalty had become proverbial. As each successive 
mail brought the narratives of additional horrors, indignation 
at such unparalleled treachery and brutality almost surpassed 
the natural feelings of sympathy for those who had suffered 
such cruel wrongs. The government was urged on all sides 
to send out immense armies of retribution, and to pause at no 
amount of expenditure necessary to recover the lost position. 
V olunteers from all ranks and classes of society spontaneously 
came forward to tender their services, and, through the initia 
tion of the lord mayor of London, whose brother, colonel 
Finnis, was one of the first victims of the mutiny, a relief fund 
was instituted for the aid of the many hundreds so suddenly 
reduced to destitution. 

15. By the middle of October, upward of £150,000 were 
subscribed for this purpose, and the fountain of charity still 
gave no signs of drying up. It w*s in the latter end of June 
that the news of the Meerut revolt and massacre was first re- 
ceived by the ministry, and, within three months, more than 
tfO.OUO excellent troops had left the British shores, and regi- 


















* ' 

■ 












































































































484 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 



G«Mrai Havelock ileleatui* ISiena Sahib on the Banks of the Ganges 




















VICTORIA. 


485 


ment after regiment continued to be dispatched in the same 
direction. 

16. Within forty-eight hours of the notification of genera] 
Anson’s death, sir Colin Campbell was on his way to the 
East to assume the chief command ; and a steady, fixed detei- 
niination was evinced throughout the British islands to recon 
quer the revolted provinces at any cost of blood or treasure 
But, before sir Colin could reach his destination, the tide 
had already turned, and the victories of British troops had 
begun to supersede the massacre of defenceless women and 
children. 

17. Gen. Havelock, taking the command at Allahabad of the 
78th Highlanders, the queen’s 64th, the 1st Madras fusiliers, 
and the Ferozepore regiment of Sikhs, had set out in the hope 
of arriving at Cawnpore in time to release sir Hugh Wheelei 
and his devoted comrades. After marching 1‘26 mil's, fighting 
four actions, and capturing a number of guns of heavy calibre, 
in eight days, and in the worst season of an Indian climate, he 
was yet too late to avert the terrible catastrophe. The day 
before he entered Cawnpore, Nona Sahib foully murdered the 
women and children, who alone survived of the Cawnpore gar¬ 
rison, and caused them to be flung, the dead and the dying, 
into a w r ell of the courtyard of the assembly rooms. 

18. The indefatigable Havelock followed the treacherous 
Mahr&tra to Bhitoor, which he captured and dismantled. Then 
collecting some boats, he crossed the Ganges, and, thrice forcing 
the enemy from strong positions, arrived within a day’s march 
of Lucknow. But, encumbered with his sick and wounded— 
cholershaving broken out in hi c >ittle camp—he was compelled 
to retrace his steps toward the river. 

19. On the banks of the Ganger, for the eighth time, he de¬ 
feated the enemy, and captured his guns ; and, a few days after¬ 
ward, the 15th of August, he marched out from Cawnpore, and 
again drove them from Bhitoor. His approach had enabled 
the garrison of Lucknow to sally forth and secure many head 
of cattle, and, a little later, having undermined a hous*. they 
blew up over a hundred of the insurgents, and disabled their 
two heaviest guns. Thus relieved, they informed geeeial 
Havelock that they could hold their own until he received the 
re-in force merits that were coming up from Calcutta. They 
would have arrived at Cawnpore some weeks sooner than <hey 
actuallv did, had not general Lloyd proved unequal to the 
occasion at Dinapore. 

20. Until the *25th of July, three regiments of native in 

2 s 2 


486 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


fantry, stationed at that place, had continued faithful, but cir 
cum stances having occurred to create suspicion, the general way 
advised to disarm them. Instead of doing so, he merely ordered 
them to give up their percussion caps before a certain hour, 
by which time they were making the best of their way to the 
river Soane. When it was too late to be of service, the 10th 
and a battery of artillery were sent in pursuit, but failed to inflict 
much loss. Subsequently a detachment under captain Dunbar 
was dispatched to relieve Arrah, a civil station closely invested 
by the Dinapore mutineers. Marching without taking proper 
precautions, these troops fell into an ambush, and were driven 
back to their boats, with the loss of 150 killed and wounded. 
The glory of relieving Arrah was reserved for major Eyre, of 
the Bengal artillery, who, with three guns and 150 men of the 
5th fusiliers, dispersed the insurgents, captured Jugdeespore, 
and restored the communication between Calcutta and the 
upper provinces. 

21. With rare exceptions, the native chiefs preserved their 
engagements with the British government during this critical 
period. The contingent forces, indeed, of Scindiah and Hol- 
kar joined the mutineers, but those princes do not appear to 
have been in any way accessory to the movement. The Sikh 
states, and especially the rajahs of Jheend and Puttiala, ren¬ 
dered signal service, and both the Nepaulese government and 
the Maharajah Goolab Sing of Cashmere (who died on the 2d 
of August,) sent considerable bodies of auxiliary troops to the 
aid of the British. Still more significant is the fact that the 
villagers, almost invariably, exhibited more sympathy for the 
British than for their own countrymen. It is true that they 
oftentimes plundered unarmed fugitives, but they showed still 
less mercy to the rebel sepoys when not in sufficient force to 
protect themselves. It thus appears evident that the revolt 
of the Bengal army was actually a mutiny, and not a popular 
insurrection. 

22. Meanwhile the mutterings of disaffection began to be 
heard also in the Bombay presidency. The ‘27th N. I. broke 
out into open mutiny at Ivolapore, and, shortly afterward, the 
21st N. I. conspired at Kurrachee to massacre the European 
inhabitants, but their projected villany being discovered, they 
were promptly disarmed, and the ringleaders justly punished. 
The Joudpore legion was not more faithful to its colors than 
Jther contingent forces, and the trifling successes which at 
tended their first movements encouraged the enemies of the 


VICTORIA. 487 

British government throughout Bajpooiana to take up arms 
and join their ranks. 

23. The Madras troops, with the exception of the 8th light 
cavalry, exhibited a rare and honorable example of fidelity amid 
such wide-spread treachery and rebellion. But on the north 
east frontier of Bengal, the Assamese displayed a restlessness 
that boded no good; and their vicinity to the Burmese on the 
one hand, and to the Santhals on the other, rendered it neces¬ 
sary to adopt energetic measures to keep them in awe. 

24. Unhappily, the governor-general of India, lord Canning, 
too rarely manifested the decision of character demanded in 
such an emergency. Of personal courage there was no want, 
but he was deficient in quickness of conception, and in moral 
hardihood. His counsellors were even more timid than him¬ 
self, and thus the mutineers were encouraged, and the European 
residents in Calcutta, in the same proportion, disheartened by 
the habitual vacillation of the government. 

25. At one time, during the advent of the great Mohamme¬ 
dan festival of the Moliurrum, a panic prevailed throughout 
all classes of the Christian inhabitants; and was only allayed 
by the unexpected arrival of lord Elgin, with the Shannon and 
the Pearl. 

26. At a later period, lord Canning converted this feeling 
of distrust into one of disgust and indignation by appointing a 
lieutenant-governor of the central provinces, with two Moham¬ 
medan assistants, to supersede martial law, and to tie the hands 
of the military leaders, upon whose promptness and resolution 
depended the safety both of individuals and of the state. In 
pursuance of the same impolitic line of conduct, an act was 
passed by the legislature, rendering it a misdemeanor to pos¬ 
sess arms or ammunition, wuthout first obtaining a license to 
that effect. As his lordship in council had previously returned 
an ungracious answer to a petition of the European commu¬ 
nity, praying that the native population might be disarmed, it 
was felt that this was at least an insulting intimation that the 
European settlers were no more trustworthy than the peoplo 
of the country. 

27. While these dissensions obtained at the Presidency, sir 
James Outram, who had succeeded general Lloyd at Dinapore, 
hastily collected what forces he could muster, and pushed on 
to re-inforce general Havelock at Cawnpore. With character¬ 
istic magnanimity, however, he first disclaimed all intention of 
pluckiug the nobly-earned laurels from the grasp of his junior 
officer, and intimated his desire to accompany him solely in his 


488 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


civil capacity of chief commissioner of Oude. His march up* 
ward from Allahabad, however, was much impeded by the heavy 
rains, and at one point a small body of the enemy attempted to 
harass his flank; but being vigorously attacked by a detachment 
under major Eyre, they were destroyed almost to a man. It 
was thus the 19th of September before general Havelock was 
in a position to cross the Ganges for a third time, and to ad¬ 
vance with an efficient force to relieve the long-beleaguered 
garrison at Lucknow. 

28. On that day the army of relief crossed the river by a 
bridge of boats, and encamped on the other side. General 
Havelock’s force consisted of about 2000 European infantry, 
the Sikh regiment of Ferozepore, three batteries of field artil¬ 
lery, and a handful of volunteer cavalry. The rebels mustered 
above 40,000 strong, but their numerical superiority only served 
to enhance the prowess of their conquerors. The first engage¬ 
ment took place on the 21st of September, at the village of 
Mungarwar, and resulted in the total defeat of the mutineers 
Five field-pieces and two guns in position were taken, two ot 
the former being captured by the volunteer cavalry, led on to 
the charge by general Outram in person. 

29. From this point the army pushed on by forced marches, 
without encountering any organized opposition, until it arrived 
before the city of Lucknow. Skirting the suburbs of that once 
stately capital, general Havelock forced his way through every 
obstacle, and, by the evening of the 25th, had relieved the 
heroic garrison. 

30. The relief was opportune. Two mines had already been 
driven under the chief works, and, in a few- hours more, would 
have been loaded and sprung. The besieged would thus have 
been placed at the mercy of those who knew no mercy. 

31. The city, however, had still to be subdued. From seve¬ 
ral advantageous positions the enemy continued to fire upon 
the fort, and were only finally dislodged after a series of deter¬ 
mined assaults. 

32. In these operations the loss of the British was very severe. 
General Neill, the brave and energetic saviour of Benares, and 
the inexorable avenger of the massacre at Caw.npore, was among 
the slain. With him fell major Cooper, in command of the 
artillery, and many other gallant spirits. Even now much re¬ 
mained to be done. Taking courage from their overwhelming 
numbers, the enemy soon closed again around the army of de- 
livcrance, and cut off their communications with Cawnpore 
Encumbered with not less than 1000 women and children, and. 


VICTORIA 


489 


sick or wounded men, it would have been hazardous, if not 
impossible, to have attempted a retrograde march across a dif¬ 
ficult country, harassed on all sides by an active and desperate 
enemy. Under these circumstances, sir James Outram, who 
had now assumed the chief command, determined on remaining 
at Lucknow, and awaiting the arrival of re-inforcements. Ilia 
position, indeed, was critical, but events in another quarter 
were in the meantime operating in his favour. 

33. Until the latter end of August, the British troops before 
"Delhi are rather to be considered as an army of observation, 
than as a besieging force. Their inferiority in numbers and 
artillery was barely counterbalanced by their superior disci¬ 
pline, courage, and physical strength. These advantages ena¬ 
bled them, indeed, to maintain their ground, but not to assume 
the offensive. 

34. Toward the close of August, however, are-inforcementof 
European and Sikh troops, under brigadier Nicholson, arrived 
from the Punjab, and, on the 25th of that month, the rebels were 
defeated at Nujuffghur, with great slaughter and the loss of thir¬ 
teen guns. A few days later a heavy siege-train was received 
from Ferozepore, and breaching batteries were constructed on 
the north side of the city. The siege may be said to have com¬ 
menced on the 7th of September, and, by the evening of the 
13th, the engineers reported two practicable breaches — one 
near the Cashmere, the other near the Water bastion. Arrange¬ 
ments were, therefore, at once made for an assault to take place 
at daybreak on the following morning. 

35. The first column, commanded by brigadier Nicholson, 
advanced under a tremendous fire, and, applying their scaling- 
ladders, carried the Cashmere bastion, and established them¬ 
selves in the main-guard. Almost simultaneously, the second 
column, under brigadier Jones, stormed the Water bastion, 
and effected a junction with their comrades inside the walls. 

36. A third column, under colonel Campbell, awaited the 
blowing open of the Cashmere gate to join in the assault. They 
had not long to wait. Lieutenants Salkeld and Home, of the 
engineers, accompanied by three sergeants carrying the powder- 
bags, walked up to the gateway in broad daylight, and, while 
exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, coolly fastened the bags to 
the iron spikes of the gate. In the performance of this heroic 
exploit, lieutenant Salkeld was severely wounded, and two of 
the sergeants killed upon the spot; but the train was lighted, 
and the gate blown open with a tremendous crash. 

37. As the smoke cleared away, the storming party sprang 


490 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


through the ruins with a British cheer; and, the three columns 
uniting, made themselves master of the whole line of works, 
from the Water bastion to the Cabul gate; and before nightfall 
were in possession of Skinner’s house, the Church, the College, 
and the adjacent grounds. This brilliant success, however, was 
not achieved without great loss of life. 

38. Of the European soldiery, eight officers and 162 rank 
and file were killed, with fifty-two officers and 510 rank and file 
wounded ; of the sepoys, 413 were placed hors de combat , of 
whom 103 were slain outright. The total number of casualties 
thus amounted to 1145, or one-third of the entire assaulting 
force. Among the mortally wounded was brigadier Nicholson, 
whose death was justly deplored as a national calamity. 

39. Simultaneously with these main attacks, a diversion was 
made by a fourth column, consisting of Sikhs, Ghoorkas, and 
Cashmerians, on the suburbs of Kishengunge and Pahareepore. 
But, in spite of their most strenuous efforts, these troops 
failed to overcome the desperate resistance offered by the 
enemy, and, in the end, were compelled to retreat, though not 
ingloriously. 

40. The day following the assault was consumed in shelling 
the palace, and in battering the magazine. A breach was effected, 
and, at daylight on the 16th, a storming party dashed forward 
with such impetuosity that the rebel artillerymen dropped their 
lighted port-fires and fled, leaving undischarged six guns of 
large calibre commanding the breach and loaded with grape. 
On the 17th, the British troops became masters of the Bank, 
formerly the palace of the Begum Sumroo, and, shortly after¬ 
ward, of the Jumtna Musjid, or principal mosque. Heavy 
guus were now brought to play upon the palace and the bridge 
of boats, and, by the evening of the 20th, the rebels entirely 
evacuated the city and its suburbs. Then was seen the extent 
of the damage sustained by the former capital of the Moghul 
dynasty. Whole streets had been laid in ruins; dead bodies 
tainted the air in all directions; the inhabitants, reduced to 
beggary, were crouching, terror-stricken, in obscure lurking- 
places. But the British soldier is merciful in victory, as he is 
irresistible in battle. To armed rebels, no mercy was showu; 
but women and children, and the defenceless citizens, were 
spared and protected. 

41. The venerable descendant of Timour—venerable only 
by reason of his gray hairs and extreme old age — had fled, 
with his principal Begum, two sons, and a grandson, to the 
•xmib of his ancestor, Hoomayoon, son of the mighty Baber. 


VICTORIA. 


491 


Here he was discovered and seized by captain Hodson, of the 
2d European fusiliers. His own life, and that of his queen, 
were respected — but the princes were led out and shot, and 
their dead bodies publicly exposed at the kotwalee, or mayor’s 
court. 

42. Gen. "Wilson, whose health failed him in the hour of vic¬ 
tory, now resigned the command to brigadier Penny, C. B., a 
veteran of approved gallantry. Colonel Burn, whose father so 
gallantly defended Delhi against Jeswunt Rao Holkar in 1803, 
was appointed military commandant within the city, and mea¬ 
sures were successfully taken to re-establish order, and to afford 
protection to well-disposed and peaceful citizens. Two mova¬ 
ble columns, consisting each of 1G00 infantry, 500 cavalry, 
three troops of horse artillery, and 18 guns, were told off, and 
ordered to follow up the retreating enemy without delay. One 
of these, commanded by colonel Greathed, of the 84th, came 
up with a rebel force strongly posted near Bolundshuhur, 
and, after a spirited engagement, utterly discomfited them 
with the loss of two guns, a vast quantity of ammunition, and 
100 men. 

43. On the same day the other column overtook the muti¬ 
neers at Muttra, and inflicted severe chastisement. The secu¬ 
rity of Agra was thus assured, and a direct road laid open into 
Oude. Re-in force ments from England were at the same time 
arriving at Calcutta, and each successive day fresh troops were 
rapidly pushed up the country. The tide had turned. The 
mutineers had lost their opportunity. 

44. Since June, 1857, a large body of Europeans, including 
many women and children, had been held beleaguered in the 
residency at Lucknow. Towards the close of September, gen¬ 
eral Havelock attempted to relieve them. He had penetrated 
through the enemy’s numerous forces to the residency just in 
time to prevent its fall. His force not being sufficient to pro¬ 
tect the retreat of the women and children to Cawnpore, he 
remained at the residency, the garrison of which was strength¬ 
ened by a portion of the troops, the rest falling back upon 
Cawnpore. 

45. Lucknow was held by 50,000 rebels, who pressed the 
siege of the residency with great vigour, and the position of 
the defenders was extremely critical. 

46. Sir Colin Campbell, the commander-in-chief, left Cawn¬ 
pore with a strong force, on the 9th of November, to relieve 
Lucknow. He succeeded, by a well-conceived stratagem on 


402 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND 





Lucknow. 






































































































































































































































































VICTORIA. 


493 


the 12th, in bringing a»vay the garrison with the women and 
children, and marched for Cawnpore. 

47. On the third day after leaving Lucknow, general Have¬ 
lock died from the effects of dyseutery, brought on by excessive 
fatigue aud anxiety. 

48. In December, Cawnpore was attacked by 25,000 rebels 
with 50 guns, and sir Colin Campbell was summoned from 
the neighbourhood of Lucknow for its defence. He arrived 
in season to save the place, after a severe action with the 

etinmy 

4y. Sir Colin remained at Cawnpore, collecting a large force 
for the iinal oiege of Lucknow. During the time which was 
thus occupied, several actions of minor importance took place; 
but it was not till the 17th of March that Lucknow was re¬ 
covered, after a short but active siege. After its fall, the 
kingdom of Oude, of which it was the capital, was speedily 
restored to obedience and comparative tranquility. 

50. Since the fall of Lucknow, the war has assumed a 
guerilla character in various parts of India; and no other 
event of equal importance has transpired. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What is said of the war with Russia? Of the Sepoy mutiny? 

2. Of lords Dalhousie and Canning? 

3. Of the Persian war? 

4. Of the Mohammedans of Upper India? Of the king of Delhi? 

5. Of the Mahommedans and Hindoos? Of the greased cartridges? 

6. What took place in Oude? In Lucknow? At Meerut? 

7. At Delhi? What was said by a writer in the Edinburgh Review. 

8. What is said of the spread of the rebellion? 

9. Of the situation of the British posts? 

10. What took place at Lucknow? 

11. At Cawnpore? What is said of Nena Sahib? 

12. What was occurring at Delhi? 

13. At Calcutta? 

14. In England? 

15. What force was sent out to India? 

16. Who was appointed commander-in-chief? 

17. What was done by general Havelock? By Nona Sahib? 

IS. By Havelock at Bhitoor? 

19. On the banks of the Ganges ? 

20. What took place at Arrah ? 

21. What is said of the native chiefs? 

22. What took place in the Bombay presidency? 

23. What is said of the Madras troops? Of the Assamese? 

24. What is said of lord Canning? 

25. Of the Mohurrum? 

26. Of lord Canning’s measures respecting the central provinces? 

87. Of sir James Outram? Of Havelock? 

2 T 




494 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


28. Of the battle of Mungarwar? 

29. Of Havelock at Lucknow? 

30. Of the relief? 

31. Of the city ? 

32. Of the looses? Of Outram ? 

33. Of the British troops before Delhi? 

34. What events followed? 

35. What was done by Nicholson? By Jones? 

36. By Campbell? By Salkeld and Home? 

; 7. By the storming party? 

38. What is said of the losses? 

39. What was done in the suburbs of Delhi? 

10. What was done on the 16th of September? The 17th 

11. What is said of the king of Delhi? 

12. Of generals Wilson and Penny? Of Greathed 

13. What events followed? 

14. What took place at Lucknow ? 

15. What is said of the siege? 

16. Of sir Colin Campbell? 

17. Of general Havelock? 

18. What took place at Cawnporo? 

49 At Lucknow? 

CO. After the fall of Lucknow, 


SECTION V. 

“Patriots have toiled, and in their country’s cause 
Bled nobly, and their deeds, as they deserve, 

Receive proud recompense.”— Cowper. 

1. The financial panic of America in 1857 was followed 
by a severe pressure in Great Britain. Two large joint- 
stock banks in Scotland were obliged to suspend, and the 
bank of England, unable to meet the demand for dis¬ 
counts, was compelled to issue notes far beyond the amount 
prescribed by its charter. This measure, first recom¬ 
mended by the government, and subsequently sanctioned 
by a special act of parliament, had the effect of restoring 
public confidence. 

2. Parliament having met on February 4th, lord Pal¬ 
merston brought in a bill to amend the law in relation 
to conspiracy to murder, by making it a felony: this 
was in consequence of a conspiracy formed in England 
against the life of the emperor of France. An amend¬ 
ment was passed, involving a censure of the Palmerston 
ministry, who, being defeated in their proposed bill, re- 






VICTORIA. 


495 


signed. The earl of Derby formed a new ministry, to 
whom the differences between England and France were 
referred. The actions of France had awakened a feeling of 
distrust in England, and the new ministry announced its 
determination to maintain an efficient fleet in the channel. 
The French were irritated by the English occupation of 
Perim, a rocky islet commanding the entrance to the Fed 
Sea, and also by the result of a trial in London, in which 
Simon Bernard, a foreign refugee, was indicted as an 
accomplice of Orsini in the attempt to assassinate the 
emperor Napoleon, and was acquitted by a jury against 
the weight of evidence and the charge of the judge. 

3. The British government, after futile attempts to pre¬ 
vent the exportation of slaves by a blockade of the Afri¬ 
can coast, removed their fleet to the vicinity of Cuba, the 
principal slave-mart of the world. Most of the vessels 
engaged in the slave-trade bore the American flag, and 
British officials, with unwarranted zeal, boarded more than 
forty American vessels, subjecting them to detention and 
search. This involved the question of the right of search, 
claimed by the English government and denied by that 
of the United States. To avoid 'collision, and to restore 
friendly feelings, this alleged right was waived, and an 
invitation extended to America to take part in measures 
to protect each country against abuses of its flag. 

4. The bill for the admission of Jews to parliament 
passed the house of lords and became a law of the land, 
and shortly afterwards baron Rothschild resumed his seat 
by virtue of his position as a peer of the realm. 

5. The discovery of gold on Frazer river attracted 
attention to that portion of British America. The govern¬ 
ment approved of the course taken by the governor of 
Vancouver’s island in asserting the sovereignty of the 
crown and its claim to the gold found in the territory. A 
ministerial crisis occurred in Canada. The legislature at 
its last session had petitioned the queen to select a place 
for the seat of government, and her majesty in reply to 
this request had named Ottawa. The legislature signified 
their disapprobation, and the ministry, construing this vote 
to be an act of disrespect to the queen, resigned their po¬ 
sitions, and the opposition came into power. 

6. The war in China was being prosecuted with vigor. 
The French and English fleets, after a brief bombard¬ 
ment of Canton, captured the city and sent the governor 



496 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


as a prisoner to Calcutta. This occurred at the close of 
the year 1857. The vessels then proceeded northward to 
the Peiho river and captured a fort at its mouth, mount¬ 
ing 138 guns. The European fleets followed up their 
successes by an approach upon Tientsin, a city of 300,000 
inhabitants, where they were met by a high mandarin 
empowered to negotiate. A treaty of peace was concluded, 
by which England and France obtained all their dem suds, 
including the establishment of embassies at Pekin and 
indemnification for the expenses of the war. The treaty 
further conceded to all foreign powers the right to trade 
throughout the Chinese empire, to introduce the Christian 
religion, and send diplomatic agents. 

7. On January 31st, 1858, the mammoth steamer Great 
Eastern was launched. The cost of its construction was 
£804,000, and £75,000 more were requisite to prepare 
it for a sea-voyage. Subsequently, it passed into the 
hands of a new company, who purchased the vessel at less 
than one-half its original cost. Owing to the existence 
of numerous defects, its trial trip across the Atlantic was 
postponed. Dr. David Livingstone, the noted explorer 
and traveller, who had been lecturing in English cities on 
the natural facilities in Central Africa for the cultivation 
of cotton, started on another expedition to that country, 
furnished with means to prosecute his researches. 

8. The Transatlantic telegraph squadron, composed 
of the British steamer Agamemnon and the American 
steamer Niagara ,, left Plymouth on June 12th, 1858, and 
proceeded to mid-ocean. Here the cable was spliced and 
the vessels started towards their respective countries, lay¬ 
ing the cable in as direct a line as possible. After three 
unsuccessful attempts, in which 400 miles of the cable 
were lost, the squadron returned. A few weeks later the 
experiment was renewed, and on August 5th the communi¬ 
cation was complete between Ireland and Newfoundland, 
a distance of 1695 miles, at an expenditure of 2050 miles 
of cable, involving a cost of £250,000. The utmost en¬ 
thusiasm was manifested in both England and America 
upon the reception of the intelligence of this great event, 
and the success of the attempt was commemorated in the 
United States by a solemn religious service. It had been 
arranged that the first dispatches transmitted should be a 
message from the queen to the president of the United 
States and the president’s reply. But it was only with 


VICTORIA. 


49 T 

great delay and constant repetitions that the congratula¬ 
tory messages were communicated. After September 1st, 
only faint electrical currents at irregular intervals were 
received. It was evident that permanent success could 
only be obtained by the construction of an entirely new 
line of cable, and government aid was promised for that 
purpose. Additional confidence was inspired by the suc¬ 
cess of the Red Sea cable, extending 1260 miles. 

9. The queen’s visit to the Cherbourg fetes tended to 
foster and cement friendly feelings with France. The 
emperor and empress on this occasion entertained the 
queen and prince Albert on board a French man-of-war 
in the most friendly manner. Prince Albert, on behalf 
of the queen, in response to the emperor’s address of wel¬ 
come, stated that her majesty was happy in having an 
opportunity by her presence to join the emperor in en¬ 
deavouring to draw together as closely as possible the ties 
of friendship between the two nations. After having in¬ 
spected the fortifications, the queen departed under a triple 
salute. 

10. The insurgents in Oude and elsewhere in India still 
manifested a mutinous spirit, and the strong arm of the 
English government was needed to quell it The queen 
therefore issued a stringent proclamation, assuming the 
entire control of the government of India, heretofore held 
in trust for her by the East-India company. All the 
officers of the company were confirmed in their several 
posts, subject to the queen’s pleasure, and the rights of 
her subjects in India were guaranteed. Unconditional 
amnesty was offered to all insurgents who would return 
peaceably to their homes, except to such as had partici¬ 
pated in the murder of British subjects, or had acted as 
leaders in the revolt. 

11. In Ireland, secret societies of ribbonmen were reviv¬ 
ing, which were reported to have branch organizations in 
all the cities of England. One of the avowed objects of 
these associations was to favour an invasion of filibusters 
from America. A stringent proclamation was issued 
against them, and large rewards were offered to informers. 

12. Lord Elgin concluded a favourable commercial treaty 
with Japan, by which five ports were to be opened to the 
English, who were to have a resident minister at Jeddo. 
Lord Napier, the British minister at Washington, was 

2 T 2 


498 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


recalled and transferred to a European embassy. His 
position was supplied by the appointment of lord Lyons. 

13. Parliament convened February 3d, 1859. Europe 
was in a state of tumult, and war seemed imminent. Cen¬ 
tral Italy was the point of danger, but the real cause of 
strife was a revival of the ancient feud between France 
and Austria. Lord Palmerston stated to parliament that 
Kussia and England were endeavouring to avert hostilities, 
and that they had recommended a conference of the five 
great powers to adjust matters in dispute. 

14. A new reform bill was introduced into parliament, 
extending the right of suffrage and establishing a uni¬ 
formity of suffrage in counties and boroughs. The reso¬ 
lution was adopted after strenuous opposition. The minis¬ 
ters, being in the minority, resigned, dissolved parliament, 
and ordered a new election. 

15. The congress of European powers was convened, 
but its proceedings were abruptly terminated by the action 
of Austria in refusing to admit Sardinia to a participation 
in the discussion. Hostilities were commenced by Austria, 
and France, aided by the allied powers, hurried troops into 
Italy, the allies avowing in their manifestoes the object 
of the war to be the dismemberment of the Italian do¬ 
minions from the Austrian empire. England preserved 
a strict neutrality, although at the same time increasing 
her military and naval forces. 

16. After a vigorous prosecution for several months, the 
war in Europe suddenly and unexpectedly closed. The 
great battle of Solferino, cn June 24th, was the last action. 
The loss of the allies in this engagement amounted to 
19,000, and that of the Austrians to about 14,000. An 
interview between the emperors of France and Austria 
took place at the French headquarters, and the prelimi¬ 
naries of peace were arranged. The affairs of Italy were 
to be adjusted by a congress of the European powers, sum¬ 
moned by invitation of France and Austria. At this 
juncture, a financial panic, occasioned by the war in Italy, 
extended through England, and failures of prominent 
houses were daily announced. Stocks depreciated and 
great loss ensued. 

17. The parliamentary elections left the Derby ministry 
in a decided minority. The queen opened parliament in 
person. The commons opposed the foreign policy of the 
administration, and thereupon the recently appointed min- 


VICTORIA. 


499 


istry resigned, and the queen requested lord Palmerston 
to form a new ministry in accordance with the wishes of 
the commons. Another session of parliament took place 
in August, 1859, in which little of interest occurred. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What is said of the financial pressure? 

2. Of lord Palmerston’s conspiracy bill and its result? Of earl Derby’s 

ministry and the course pursued towards France? What is said of 
Perim and the trial of Bernard? 

3. What action was taken to check the slave-trade? What question 

arose between England and the United States? 

4. What of the Jews in parliament? 

5. Of the discovery of gold in America? Of the Canadian government? 

6. Of the war in China? Of the negotiations for peace and the results? 

7. What is said of the Great Eastern? Of Livingstone? 

8. Describe the attempts to lay the Atlantic cable and the result. Of 

the messages transmitted. 

9. Describe the queen’s visit to France. 

10. What is said of the insurrection in India? 

11. Of the ribbonmen of Ireland? 

12. What of lord Elgin? Of lord Napier? 

13. When did parliament meet? What was the condition of Europe, and 

what action was taken to avert hostilities? 

14. What is said of the reform bill ? 

15. What was the result of the congress of European powers? What 

action was taken ? 

16. What happened on June 24th? What was the effect of the war upon 

England ? 

17. What of the elections ? Of changes in the ministry ? When did par¬ 

liament again meet ? 


SECTION VI. 

“Our life was but a battle and a march. 

And like the wind’s blast; never resting, homeless, 

We stormed across the war-convulsed earth.” 

1. Parliament again met on Jan. 24th, 1860. The 
queen’s speech referred to the indefinite postponement of the 
Peace Congress and her majesty’s desire that, in the conduct 
of international affairs, Italy should be free from foreign 
interference by force of arms. Allusion was also made to 
the severe check the French and English forces had re¬ 
ceived from the Chinese, who had violated the treaty of 
Tientsin, and the preparations made by her majesty, in 
concert with the emperor, to enforce the fulfilment of its 
stipulations. Her majesty stated that a threatened diffi¬ 
culty with the United States, originating in the question 
of the sovereignty of the island of San Juan, had been 




500 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


amicably settled on the spot by the naval officers in com¬ 
mand, and that an equitable provisional arrangement had 
been proposed by the government of the United States, 
by which the disputed question of boundary could be defi¬ 
nitely adjusted. 

2. The mammoth steamer Great Eastern successfully 
accomplished her trip across the Atlantic, and remained 
on exhibition at New York for several weeks. She at¬ 
tracted much attention, and was inspected by thousands 
of the inhabitants of that city. 

3. A general feeling that a European war was impend¬ 
ing seemed to gain ground. An appropriation for na¬ 
tional defences was made by parliament, and unwonted 
activity was displayed everywhere in the formation of 
volunteer companies. 

4. The British and French forces destined for China 
numbered 30,000 men, provided with improved artillery. 
On August 24th, the forts on the river Pei-ho were cap¬ 
tured by the allies, after a series of vigorous assaults, and 
in a few days later the important city of Tientsin fell into 
their hands, the Chinese displaying a valour they had never 
before manifested in their contests with the Europeans. 
Town after town was taken and plundered in the advance 
of the forces, and it was not until the troops took posses¬ 
sion of the city of Tung-Chaw that negotiations for peace 
were entered into with the Chinese. 

5. The Chinese displayed their usual treachery and 
baseness in their overtures for peace. They retained as 
prisoners of war, and subjected to brutal treatment, the 
Englishmen conducting the negotiations, and abruptly 
terminated the truce by an attempt to destroy an English 
regiment in an ambuscade. The English and French 
forces thereupon advanced towards Pekin, and, after some 
desultory fighting, encamped within a mile of the Chinese 
capital, on October 4th. On the next day the French troops 
pillaged the summer palace of the emperor, situated out¬ 
side of the city walls. It was a magnificent structure, 
filled with objects of immense value, and had been the 
pride of the Chinese emperors during many successive 
reigns. The troops secured the most valuable part of the 
spoils, and wantonly destroyed such articles as were too 
cumbrous for removal. 

6. On October 12th, the allies made preparations for 
a simultaneous attack upon Pekin, and notice was given 


VICTORIA. 


501 


that, unless the city was surrendered by noon of the next 
day, the bombardment would commence. A quarter of 
an hour before the time expired, a high mandarin appeared 
in camp and announced that all the demands of the allies 
were acceded to, and that the city would be surrendered 
without resistance. A treaty embodying the main features 
of the former treaty of Tientsin was thereupon concluded 
between the emperor of China and the English and French 
ambassadors. The foreign ministers were permanently es¬ 
tablished at Pekin, one gate of the city was surrendered, 
foreigners were free to travel in all parts of China, Chris¬ 
tianity was to be tolerated, and Christian missionaries 
everywhere protected. 

7. The prince of Wales, heir-apparent to the English 
throne, arrived at Windsor Castle on November 15th, after 
an absence of four months devoted to a pleasure tour 
through the Canadas and a portion of the United States. 
In the British provinces he had been received with great 
enthusiasm. At Kingston, however, an effort had been 
made to give a partisan character to his reception by the 
erection of an Orange arch, which political desigii was 
promptly rebuked by the prince, who passed the town 
without landing. Detroit had been visited by his high¬ 
ness on September 21st. He had then proceeded, by way 
of Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Baltimore, to Wash¬ 
ington, where he had arrived on October 3d, and, under 
the title of Baron Renfrew, been entertained as the guest 
of president Buchanan. After having visited Richmond, 
his return trip to the steamer awaiting him at Portland 
had been varied by brief sojourns at Philadelphia, New 
York, West Point, Albany, and Boston. He had been 
everywhere cordially received, and been welcomed in the 
larger cities by military and civic displays. 

8. Parliament was opened by the queen on February 
5th, 1861. Her majesty referred to the American conflict 
in the following language: “It is impossible for me to 
look without great concern upon any event that can affect 
the happiness and welfare of a people nearly allied to my 
subjects by descent and closely connected with them by 
the most intimate and friendly relations. My heartfelt 
wish is, that these differences may be susceptible of satis¬ 
factory adjustment.” On May 14th, a royal proclamation 
appeared, enjoining strict neutrality, forbidding British 
subjects from participating in the contest, or conveying to 


502 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


tlie opposing parties articles contraband of war. This 
proclamation, in connection with speeches in parliament 
and explanations of ministers, looked unfriendly to the 
United States, recognizing, as it did, the Confederate States 
as belligerents, entitled equally to carry prizes into British 
ports. 

9. In the latter part of 1861 a combined English, 
French, and Spanish naval expedition sailed for Mexico, 
with the avowed object of seizing and occupying the mili¬ 
tary fortresses on the Mexican coast, and, bv the seques¬ 
tration of revenue ensuing from customs, to indemnify 
their respective countries for losses sustained by the pre¬ 
vious action of Mexico. The leaders of this expedition 
were pledged not to seek acquisition of territory nor to 
interfere with the existing form of government. 

10. At this juncture a disturbance was apprehended 
between England and the United States, resulting from 
an aggressive movement on the part of the latter. Cap¬ 
tain Wilkes, of the United States steam-sloop San Ja¬ 
cinto , boarded the English ship Trent , and made prison¬ 
ers of Mason and Slidell, ambassadors on board from 
the Southern confederacy to England and France. The 
excitement occasioned in England by this event afforded 
reasonable ground of hope to the South of foreign inter¬ 
vention; but, upon the United States complying with 
the demand of England for redress of the aggression 
committed and the release of the gentlemen, England no 
longer manifested a design to interfere in the contest, and 
recalled the military forces ordered for Canada. 

11. Prince Albert, husband of the queen, died on De¬ 
cember 14th, aged 42, having been married 21 years. He 
was generally popular throughout England. He was a 
kind father and a devoted husband. He was also ail 
accomplished gentleman, a rare musician, a connoisseur in 
art, a shrewd man of affairs, and was possessed of courage, 
enterprise and energy, combined with rare discretion and 
honesty of motive. 

12. The representatives of England, France, and Spain 
addressed a manifesto to Mexico, declaring their object not 
to be conquest, but demanding reparation to Spain and 
the acknowledgment and observance by Mexico of the 
violated treaties. A few months later England withdrew 
from this coalition, and the French commander, acting 
under authority, avowed his intention to subvert the re- 


VICTORIA. 


503 


publican form of government, in Mexico, and substitute 
monarchy, under Maximilian of Austria. 

13. Earl Russell issued a circular, directing that during 
the American war no privateer should use a British port 
for any warlike purpose; that no vessel should stay in a 
British port, except in distress, for over twenty-four hours, 
and no vessel of any other belligerent should follow it out 
until twenty-four hours had elapsed after its departure. 

14. February 6th, 1862, parliament opened. The queen, 
in her speech, apprehended no trouble with any of the 
European powers, and still declared her wish that strict 
neutrality might be maintained in the struggle in America. 

15. American affairs engrossed public attention in 
England at this time. The exploits of the Monitor and 
Merrimac proved the fact that, for all aggressive naval 
movements, wooden vessels were worthless, and in every 
dock-yard in England work upon them was suspended 
and iron-clads were substituted. Great distress existed 
among the poor of England owing to the scarcity of cot¬ 
ton. More than one-sixth of the working population of 
the country was dependent upon its manufacture for em¬ 
ployment and bread. The shipments from India and 
elsewhere were inadequate to supply the demand, and 
apprehensions of a deficiency in the harvest of grain 
throughout Europe occasioned universal gloom and un¬ 
easiness. The commercial classes combined with the en¬ 
tire Tory element in England in strenuous efforts to effect 
a recognition of the confederacy of the Southern States, 
but the government resisted the pressure, and announced 
its opposition to intervention. On July 18th, Mr. Lind¬ 
sey offered a motion in parliament for immediate recog¬ 
nition and mediation. A long and animated debate en¬ 
sued upon this question, resulting in the ultimate with¬ 
drawal of the motion and in the endorsement of the course 
pursued by the government. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. When did parliament meet ? What is said of the queen’s speech in re¬ 

lation to the Peace Congress and Italy ? To China? To the United 
States ? 

2. What is said of the Great Eastern ? 

3. What was done in preparation for war? 

4. What was the force of the allies in the Chinese expedition? What 

was done by them ? 

5. How did the Chinese act ? What building was pillaged by the troops ? 



504 HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 

6. Describe the capitulation of Pekin. What were the terms of the 

treaty ? 

7. Describe the visit of the prince of Wales to the United States. 

8. When did parliament open ? What allusion was made by the queen 

to the American war? What proclamation was issued? 

9. What naval expedition is here referred to ? What pledge was given ? 

10. What is said of the capture of Mason and Slidell ? What was done 

with them ? 

11. What is said of prince Albert? 

12. What manifesto was issued to the Mexicans? What course was 

taken by the French commander? 

13. What order was issued by earl Russell ? 

14. When did parliament open? What was the tenor of the queen’s 

speech ? 

15. What is said of iron clad vessels? Of the scarcity of cotton and its 

effects? What classes desired the recognition of the Confederate 
government? What was done in parliament? 


SECTION VII. 

“Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, 

Where wealth accumulates and men decay; 

Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, 

A breath can make them as a breath has made; 

But a bohl peasantry, their country’s pride, 

When once destroyed, can never be supplied.” — Goldsmith. 

1. Parliament was convened February 5tli, 1863. The 
prince of Wales appeared for the first time as a member 
of that body. But few matters of magnitude were dis¬ 
cussed, and the session was brief and devoid of historic 
importance. 

2. The marriage of the prince of Wales to the princess 
Alexandra of Denmark caused general satisfaction in both 
countries. The princess arrived in England on March 6th, 
and was received with all the honors due the future queen 
consort of England. The royal nuptials were celebrated 
by demonstrations of rejoicing in every form, and the 
enthusiasm of the populace was displayed along the entire 
route traversed by the scions of royalty. In marked 
contrast with the festivities of the court was the misery 
of the working-classes. Business was stagnant, factories 
were suspended, and thousands of operatives were thrown 
out of employment. 

3. The British government, in pursuance of its doctrine 
of neutrality, prevented the departure of the Confederate 
iron-clad rams from English ports. Earl Russell defined 
the rights of belligerents and the position assumed by 
England, and justified the course pursued by the govern¬ 
ment in allowing the Confederate vessel Alabama to leave 



VICTORIA. 


505 


without opposition, alleging that her destination was un¬ 
known and her arms supplied in foreign waters. The 
doctrine he advanced was this: “ You may sell gunpowder 
or cannon to either party: so also you may sell a ship. 
But if you allow a regiment to leave your shores armed 
and equipped, or a ship armed for foreign attack, you 
violate your neutrality.” 

4. England at this time was involved in a difficulty 
with Japan, occasioned by an aggressive movement of the 
semi-independent Damios against foreigners. The govern¬ 
ment of the Tycoon officially announced its opposition to 
this hostile action of a portion of its subjects, but evinced 
an indisposition to actively interfere. Thereupon the 
English admiral with eleven vessels bombarded the city 
of Ragosina, the capital of the inimical tribe, and entirely 
destroyed it. Hostilities also broke out in India on the 
Punjaub frontier. Some of the hill tribes attacked the 
English force stationed there, but were repulsed. This 
onslaught was succeeded by a series of small engagements, 
in which the English lost 600 men. Lord Elgin, the 
governor-general of India, died in the latter part of 1862, 
and his place was supplied by sir John Lawrence. 

5. The Russian-Polish question became more and more 
complicated. Fifteen European sovereigns were invited 
by the French emperor to a congress at Paris. After 
much diplomatic correspondence, England refused to par¬ 
ticipate, and the other great powers evinced their unwill¬ 
ingness to act. 

6. The Schleswig-Holstein imbroglio seriously disturbed 
Europe. The death of the king of Denmark without male 
issue gave these Danish Duchies a pretext for claiming 
their independence. Austria and Prussia availed them¬ 
selves of this opportunity, and forwarded troops into these 
states, which involved them in a war with Denmark. 
Immediately upon the announcement of the advance of 
German forces into the Duchies, England invited Den¬ 
mark and the German federation to a conference in Lon¬ 
don, with a view of arresting hostilities. This invitation 
w r as accepted by Austria and Prussia, but declined by 
Denmark, by whom a vigorous war policy was proclaimed. 
The British parliament assembled February 4th, 1864. 
The queen’s message made no allusion to American affairs, 
but evinced great anxiety on the Danish question. A 
major portion of the session of parliament was occupied 

2 u 


506 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


in the discussion of German politics, and the government 
tlirough earl Bussell evinced its marked disapprobation 
of the course pursued by Austria and Prussia. The entire 
debate was regarded as a hostile parliamentary demon¬ 
stration towards Germany, and it was believed that Eng¬ 
land would ultimately drift into the war, neutrality being 
deemed impossible, since all Europe would probably be 
engaged in a desperate struggle in advocacy of or oppo¬ 
sition to despotism. 

7. At this time, Garibaldi, the illustrious Italian patriot, 
arrived in England, and was received by the people with 
marked enthusiasm. He suddenly and unexpectedly de¬ 
parted, however, without assigning a plausible excuse for 
the non-fulfilment of his engagements to visit the large 
cities, which would have necessitated his stay for a longer 
period. The ostensible cause was the bad health of Gari¬ 
baldi himself, rendering him incapable of sustaining the 
fatigue of receptions and public ovations; but the probable 
motive that necessitated his abrupt departure was the re¬ 
quest of the English government, prompted thereto by the 
representations or demands of the French emperor, who 
detected in this visit a revolutionary purpose. The influ¬ 
ence of the emperor was also perceptible in the resigna¬ 
tion from the British cabinet of Mr. Stansfield, who was 
suspected of complicity with Mazzini in the conspiracy 
against Napoleon’s life. Lord Palmerston, alluding to 
the fact, said that the personal and dynastic safety of 
Napoleon was essential to the best interests of Europe. 

8. An animated discussion took place in parliament in 
relation to the seizure by the government of the iron-clad 
rains destined for the Southern Confederacy. The matter 
was finally disposed of in a very summary manner. The 
government not finding any law justifying the detention 
of the vessels, and yet aware of the consequences that 
would ensue from their release, extricated itself from its 
dilemma by purchasing the rams for the British navy. 
The financial and commercial circles were united in their 
bitter hostility to the United States, and the government 
was importuned from all quarters to abandon its neutral 
policy and actively interfere in the Transatlantic contest. 

_ 9. The ship-owners of Liverpool, fearing lest at some 
time the policy pursued by the English government in re¬ 
lation to the Confederate vessel Alabama might be turned 
against itself, petitioned parliament that the existing law 


VICTORIA. 


50T 


might be amended, if it were insufficient to preserve neu¬ 
trality. The petition was presented and advocated by Mr. 
Cobden in a forcible speech. 

10. The high rates of wages in the United States had 
the effect of alluring many thousands from the better 
order of the laboring classes. This was particularly the 
case in Ireland, from whence the emigration was immense, 
the emigrants carrying with them a large amount of cap¬ 
ital, and occasioning by their departure serious loss to the 
country. A few years previous, it had been the policy 
of the English government to encourage emigration; it 
was now their policy to interpose a check to it. 

11. In May, 1864, the diplomatic conference, in which 
all the great powers were represented, was convened in 
London, the avowed object being the adjustment of the 
Dano-German difficulty. The final session of the Con¬ 
gress was held on June 25th, when it adjourned without 
having accomplished any practical result. A rumor pre¬ 
vailed that Denmark was desirous of peace, and was will¬ 
ing to become a member of the German Confederation, 
thus placing her navy under control of the Diet. The 
personal relations of the queen with the belligerent mon- 
archs complicated matters. The eldest daughter of her 
majesty was the wife of the presumptive heir of the 
Prussian crown, while on the other hand the prince of 
'Wales had recently married the daughter of the Danish 
king. This war was eventually terminated by Denmark’s 
cession of the Duchies to Austria and Prussia, involving 
a loss of one-fourth of her population. 

12. Parliament adjourned on July 29th, 1864. The 
queen’s speech stated that the British protection over the 
Ionian Isles had ceased, a union between these islands and 
Greece having been effected; that the strictest neutrality 
would be observed towards the belligerents in America, 
and that the distress in England arising from the want 
of cotton had abated, and the taxes had been materially 
reduced. 

13. A convention of delegates was held in Quebec on Oc¬ 
tober 10th, 1864, the object of which was to form a consoli¬ 
dated government and union between the British posses¬ 
sions in North America. The project was entertained 
with approval by the home government. A general plan 
was accordingly agreed upon, the leading feature of which 
was that the chief powers of the government should be 


508 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


committed to the central legislature body consisting of 
two houses; the upper to be selected by the crown from 
the members of the existing provincial upper houses, the 
lower to be chosen by the people. In the early part of 
1865, this project was abandoned, owing to the refusal of 
Nova Scotia to subscribe to the compact, or enter into any 
confederation except a maritime one which should include 
Newfoundland, Prince Edward’s Island, and Nova Scotia. 

14. The British parliament was dissolved on July 6th, 
1865, and a new election ordered a fortnight later. The 
result of the election was decidedly favorable to the Whig 
or liberal ministry, led by lord Palmerston, earl Russell, 
and Mr. Gladstone against the tory or conservative party, 
of which the earl of Derby and Mr. DTsraeli were leaders. 

15. The Fenian movement now began to occasion much 
alarm. An organization calling itself the Fenian Brother¬ 
hood was formed in Ireland, the avowed object of which 
was to effect by force of arms the political independence 
of Ireland and its separation from Great Britain. This 
fraternity possessed strength, numbers, and influence, and 
had an effective reserve force in the United States, among 
men of Irish descent whose aid could be relied upon in 
any emergency. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. "When was parliament convened ? Who was present ? What was done? 

2. Describe the incidents of the marriage of the prince of Wales. 

What is said of the working-classes? 

3. What is said of the iron-clad rams ? What was earl Russell’s doc¬ 

trine ? 

4. What is said of the war in Japan ? Of India ? Of lord Elgin ? 

5. What did England do in the Russian-Polish difficulty ? 

6. What was the cause of the war between Denmark and the German 

states? What course did England pursue? 

7. What is said of Garibaldi’s visit and sudden departure? Of the 

cause of Mr. Stansfield’s resignation ? 

8. What became of the iron-clad rams? What was the feeling existing 

towards the United States? 

9. What petition is spoken of? 

]0. What is said of emigration to the United States? 

11. What is said of the conference in London? Of Denmark? Of the 

queen’s relations? Of the cession of the Duchies? 

12. When did parliament adjourn ? What did the queen’s speech state? 

13. What was the object of the Quebec convention ? What plan was 

agreed upon? What became of the project? 

14. When did the parliament of 1865 become dissolved ? What was the 

result of the election, and who were the leaders? 

15. What is said of the Eenian organization? 



VICTORIA. 


509 


SECTION VIII. 

“In a contracted sphere, a nolde man 
Cannot develop all his mental powers; 

On him his country and the world must work; 
lie must endure both censure and applause ; 

Must be compelled to estimate aright 
Himself and others.”— Goet'ie. 

1. Lord Palmerston, the British premier, died on 
October 18th, aged 80 years, 60 of which had been spent in 
active political life. He derived his descent from an Irish 
family, and originally entered parliament in 1806 as a 
commoner. Earl Russell was selected to occupy the place 
so worthily filled by the deceased statesman, and was or¬ 
dered to construct a new cabinet. 

2. A discussion arose between the governments of the 
United States and England in relation to claims presented 
by the former for damages inflicted upon American com¬ 
merce by vessels bearing the Confederate Hag, but built, 
equipped, and manned by Englishmen in English ports. 
The British government refused to assume the responsi¬ 
bility of such damage, or to submit the question involved 
to the arbitration of foreign powers. 

3. In the early part of 1866, the threatening attitude 
of the Fenians excited apprehension of aggressive move¬ 
ments, and the Canadian provinces were in momentary 
dread of an outbreak, which would be followed by an 
irruption from the United States. In Great Britain several 
prominent members of the organization had been tried, 
convicted, and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. 
Among these prisoners of state was James Stephens, the 
head centre or president of the Irish republic, who subse¬ 
quently effected his escape. Dublin and several other 
cities in Ireland were virtually placed under martial law. 

4. On March 12th, 1866, a bill was introduced in par¬ 
liament by Mr. Gladstone, chancellor of the exchequer, 
extending the right of suffrage in England and Wales. 
This was the famous reform bill, which was destined to 
agitate the entire country lor more than a year succeeding 
its introduction. A protracted and bitter debate upon the 
bill followed its introduction in parliament. The ministry 
during the early stages maintained a slight ascendency, 
but were defeated in a subsequent vote on an important 
measure involved in the bill. After this defeat the min¬ 
istry resigned. The queen refused to accept their resig- 

2 u 2 


510 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


nation. The ministry persisted in their withdrawal, and 
at last lord Derby was called upon to form a new ministry. 

5. A speech of the emperor Napoleon, in which was in¬ 
timated a desire to forcibly obtain from other European 
powers the possessions which had belonged to France be¬ 
fore the treaty of 1815, had the effect of producing a 
financial panic throughout Europe. In England, the pres¬ 
sure on the mouey market was greater than it had been 
for a generation. 

6. At the close of 18G6, England was in commotion from 
two causes, viz.: the Fenian demonstrations in Ireland and 
the reform agitation at home. The Fenian movement 
was checked by the prompt importation of English troops 
upon Irish soil, but the reform demonstration continued 
with unabated enthusiasm. The London trades-unions, 
possessing great numerical strength, had placed their or¬ 
ganizations and funds under the control of the reform 
leaders. Anxiety and apprehension were occasioned by 
repeated and atrocious acts of violence, performed at a 
later period by their members in executing the secret 
mandates of these associations. Bread riots occurred in 
various parts of England, and the poorer classes suffered 
severely from the severity of the winter and the scarcity 
of food; 

7. The British parliament was opened on February 5th, 
1867, by the queen in person, the first official appearance 
of her majesty since the death of prince Albert. Her 
speech referred to the friendly relations existing with for¬ 
eign powers, to the suggestion made to the government of 
the United States by which the questions pending in the 
controversy with England might be satisfactorily ad¬ 
justed, and to her determination to introduce a bill in 
parliament to improve the relations of landlord and tenant 
in Ireland, without interference with the right of property. 
In regard to the reform movement, her majesty trusted 
that parliament would adopt measures which, without 
undue disturbance of the balance of political power, should 
freely extend the elective franchise. 

8. The reform demonstrations were ominous. The queen 
and her family were coldly received by the populace, who 
filled the streets through which the royal cortege passed, 
and clamored loudly for reform. Strikes among the 
trades were common, and large mass-meetings were held 
in London and elsewhere, at which political and trade 


VICTORIA. 


511 


devices were exhibited, and orators openly proclaimed the 
Fenian excitement to be a government dodge to avoid 
action on the question of reform. 

9. Moved by these demonstrations, D’Israeli introduced 
in the commons a series of resolutions on reform, which 
failed to accord with the views of the liberal party, and 
were vehemently denounced by Mr. Bright and other re¬ 
form leaders. On August 15th, after the adoption of many 
amendments, the great reform bill was passed, which added 
materially to the representation in parliament. The organ¬ 
ized bill had undergone so many changes that its identity 
was almost destroyed. It received the royal assent, and 
became a part of the constitution of the kingdom. It 
was a liberal measure, and the most progressive reform¬ 
ers were satisfied. 

10. A conference of European powers was held in Lon¬ 
don to determine the controversies respecting the duchy 
of Luxemburg. Great harmony and despatch were ex¬ 
hibited in the proceedings of the congress. It was agreed 
that the duchy should be considered neutral territory and 
the Prussian garrison withdrawn. Parliament sustained 
the ministry in their policy of neutrality in connection 
with the insurrection in Crete, resulting from Turkish 
outrages committed there. 

11. In the house of commons, Mr. Hardcastle, on be¬ 
half of the dissenters, introduced a bill for the abolition 
of church rates. He argued that these rates should be 
voluntary, and that the land belonging to dissenters should 
not be taxed for the repair of edifices belonging to the es¬ 
tablished church. The bill was carried in the commons, 
but rejected in the house of lords. 

12. Parliament was opened on November 19th, 1867. 
The queen’s speech alluded to the prolonged captivity of 
Englishmen in Abyssinia, and the order which her ma¬ 
jesty had given to fit out an expedition with adequate 
force to liberate them. The original cause of the Abys¬ 
sinian difficulty was the neglect by the queen to reply to 
an offer of marriage made her by Theodore, the king of 
Abyssinia, whose presumption subjected him to the ridi¬ 
cule of the civilized world. 

13. Theodore was a man of medium stature and fine 
physical development. His complexion was dark, ap¬ 
proaching to black, but his features were entirely Euro¬ 
pean. His forehead was prominent, his head well formed, 


512 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


liis eye black, fiery, and piercing. His mouth was per¬ 
fect, and his smile almost fascinating. His manners were 
peculiarly pleasant, gracious, and even polite, and his 
general expression was one of intelligence and benevo¬ 
lence. His character and career are equally remarkable. 
In the early part of his reign he displayed the highest 
qualities of a ruler, keen political sagacity, tact and econ¬ 
omy in the administration of government, justice and 
moderation, and a remarkable power of inspiring enthu¬ 
siasm in the minds of his subjects. His private life was 
beyond reproach, and he was deemed a model man as 
well as an upright monarch. The extravagances of his 
subsequent career were occasioned by the excessive in¬ 
dulgence of a vile Abyssinian liquor, which crazed his 
brain and turned his virtues into madness. The brutal¬ 
ity and tyranny which marked the latter part of his reign 
stamped him as a human monster, and the man died out 
within him, while the savage qualities of his nature loomed 
up, exciting horror and disgust. It was in one of these 
paroxysms of madness that he ordered the incarceration 
of all Englishmen resident in Abyssinia, from which re¬ 
sulted the invasion of his territory by British troops, 
involving the destruction of his kingdom and his own 
death. 

14. In the early part of 1808, general Napier advanced 
against Theodore, with an effective force of 12 000 men. 
The army of the king originally numbered 60,000 men, 
rudely armed and equipped; but his forces w^ere depleted 
daily by disease and desertion, and disaffection spread 
through the whole country, resulting in the rebellion of 
entire provinces, whose troops swelled the force of the 
British invaders. After a march of 400 miles through a 
desolate country, a decisive encounter between the hostile 
forces took place at the strong fortress of Magdala, re¬ 
sulting in the conquest of Abyssinia and in the death of 
Theodore by his own hand. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What is said of lord Palmerston ? Who succeeded him ? 

2. What discussion arose with the United States? What was done? 

3. What is said of the Fenians? Of Stephens? 

4. What bill did Mr. Gladstone introduce ? What effect was produced 

on the ministry? 

5. What occasioned a panic? 



VICTORIA. 513 

6. What were the causes of commotion in England? What is said of 

the trades-unions ? Of bread riots ? 

7. When was parliament opened? To what did the queen’s speech 

refer ? 

8. What is said of reform demonstrations? 

9. What did D Israeli do? What is said of the reform bill? 

10. What was done at the conference of European powers? 

11. What bill did Mr. Hardcastle introduce? 

12. When did parliament open ? To what did the queen’s speech allude ? 

What caused the difficulty? 

13. Describe king Theodore's appearance, his character and career. 

What of his later life? Of the imprisonment of Englishmen ? 

14. Describe the invasion of Abyssinia and the death of the king. 


SECTION IX. 

“Inconstant, blind. 

Deserting friends at need and duped by foes; 

Loud and seditious when a chief inspired 
Their headlong fury, but, of him deprived, 

Already slaves that lick’d the scourging hand.”— Thomson. 


1. The controversies in the church of England, occa¬ 
sioned by the mode of celebrating divine service adopted 
by the ritualists in their introduction of ceremonial ob¬ 
servances in religious worship and in the administration 
of the sacrament, reached such a height that a cry was 
raised for legislative interference in these innovations. 
The earl of Shaftesbury thereupon introduced a bill in 
the house of lords, describing the vestments to be worn 
by the clergy, and otherwise prescribing the forms of the 
established church. This movement served but to add 
new fuel to the fire, and the dissensions in the church 
seemed to be creating a breach which widened daily,— the 
influences of which were felt in the episcopal church in 
both hemispheres. 

2. The Fenian movement seemed to have penetrated 
every part of the British empire. In Canada, D’Arcy 
McGee, a prominent statesman, was shot dead at Mon¬ 
treal, while entering his residence, by an assassin supposed 
to be connected with the Fenian organization. Three 
weeks before, prince Alfred, the second son of the queen, 
was shot and severely wounded at Sydney, in Australia, 
by a Fenian. The Canadian dominions were kept in con¬ 
stant alarm by reports of an approaching invasion of 
Fenians, and the Clerkenwell explosion in the mother 
country proved that Fenian emissaries, fitted for desperate 



514 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


deeds, were scattered through the towns and villages of 
England itself. 

3. In the parliament of 1868 the Irish question was 
prominent, the main point being a motion made by the 
liberals, under the lead of Mr. Gladstone and opposed by 
the ministry, for the virtual abolition of the endowments 
of the established church in Ireland. Upon this question 
the ministry suffered such a series of defeats that, but for 
the direct request of the queen, they would have resigned 
or dissolved parliament and ordered a new election. On 
June 29th a decisive vote was taken, resulting in the pas¬ 
sage of the bill by the commons and its defeat in the 
house of lords. The commons and the government, backed 
by the peers, being thus at variance, it was announced 
that parliament would be dissolved and a new election 
ordered. 

4. The liberal party, under the lead of Mr. Gladstone, 
achieved a signal success in the elections, having a major¬ 
ity in the commons sufficient, it was assumed, to compel 
the lords to accede to the proposed reform measures, espe¬ 
cially those relating to the Irish church. The DTsraeli 
ministry resigned in December, and a new ministry was 
formed, with Mr. Gladstone at the head. Mr. Bright, the 
great reformer, accepted a place in the cabinet as presi¬ 
dent of the board of trade. 

5. On January 14th, 1869, Lord Clarendon, on behalf 
of Great Britain, and Reverdy Johnson, on behalf of the 
United States, signed a treaty in London which involved 
the settlement of the vexed Alabama claims. The main 
features of the treaty were these: That all claims of either 
country upon the other since July 26th, 1853, should be 
referred to four commissioners, two of whom should be 
appointed by the queen and two by the president of the 
United States, with the advice and consent of the senate; 
that these commissioners should meet at Washington and 
select an umpire; that should two of the commissioners 
desire a sovereign or head of a friendly state to act as 
umpire, they should report such wish, and the respective 
governments would select an arbiter; that the commis¬ 
sioners should then proceed to investigate the claims pre¬ 
sented upon evidence furnished by the respective govern¬ 
ments; that all such claims must be presented within six 
months of the time the commissioners hold their first 
meeting, and a final decision must be made within two 


VICTORIA. 


515 


years thereafter; that all sums of money awarded must 
be paid in ooin, without interest, within eighteen months 
after the decision ; that the contracting parties shall con¬ 
sider such settlement as final and all future action thereon 
forever barred. This treaty, when submitted to the re¬ 
spective governments for ratification, did not meet the 
approval of the English press or the American senate. 
The London Times called the treaty incomprehensible and 
without order, and suggested its revision, as, practically, 
every claim would be submitted for decision to the sover¬ 
eign umpire. 

6. The formal opening of the new parliament took place 
February 16th, 1869. The queen was not present, but her 
speech was read by the lord chancellor. The purport of 
the document was to the effect that the relations of Eng¬ 
land with foreign powers were on an excellent footing, 
and that the hostilities which threatened the East had 
been prevented by a conference of the great powers at 
Paris. The hope was expressed that the negotiations 
pending with the United States would place on a firm 
and durable basis the friendship which should ever exist 
between England and America. The continued suppression 
of the writ of habeas corpus in Ireland was regarded by 
her majesty as unnecessary, and she trusted that, by wise 
legislation, parliament would eventually secure the undi¬ 
vided feeling of the Irish people on the side of loyalty and 
law, which would efface the memory of past contentions 
and win the sympathies of an affectionate people. The 
disturbances in the colony of New Zealand were to be re¬ 
gretted, but the queen felt sure that prudence and moder¬ 
ation on the part of the government would prevent the 
recurrence of such unhappy events. 

7. A petition, containing more than 100,000 signatures, 
was presented to her majesty by the mayor of Dublin, so¬ 
liciting amnesty for members of the Fenian organization 
who had been imprisoned and were awaiting execution. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What is said of the ritualists? Of the bill iu the house of lords, and 

its effect ? 

2. What atrocities were committed by Fenians? 

3. What question was prominent in parliament? What is said of the 

ministry? Of the Irish endowment bill? 



516 HISTORY OP ENGLAND. 

4. What was the result of the elections? What change took place in 

the ministry ? 

5. Who framed a treaty in London in 1869? What were the main feat¬ 

ures of the treaty? IIow was the treaty received? 

6. When did parliament open ? What was the tenor of the queen’s 

speech as to foreign powers? To the East? To the United States? 
To Ireland? To New Zealand? 

7. What petition was presented the queen ? 


SECTION X. 


‘‘Time hurries on 

With a resistless, unremitting stream, 

Yet treads more soft than e’er did midnight thief, 

That slides his hand under the miser's pillow, 

And carries off his prize.”— Blair. 

1. The inhabitants of Rupert’s land and the north¬ 
western territories in America rose in insurrection against 
the lawful authorities constituted bv the dominion of Ca- 
nada, to which this region had been recently transferred 
by the Hudson Bay company. The rebellion assumed 
some importance, and w r as emboldened, by its capture of 
fort Garry, to issue a declaration of independence. At the 
expiration of nine months it was finally quelled. 

2. The most important action taken by parliament at 
the session of 1869 was the disestablishment and dis- 
endowment of the Irish church. Earl Granville argued 
that the Irish church was an anomaly and a great injustice. 
Lord Clarendon asserted that he had witnessed in Ireland 
crowds kneeling outside of a hovel, with a handsome 
church close by unattended. Earl Russell said that at 
the beginning the creation of the Irish church was a wise 
thing, but the changes of three centuries had made an 
alteration necessary, as only a small part of the Irish 
people belonged to the established church. On July 26th, 
the bill received the royal assent, and became the law of 
the land. This marked a new era in English history. 

3. In the parliament of 1870, Gladstone introduced the 
Irish land bill, by which the transfer and purchase of land 
could be facilitated, by which loans could be arranged for 
tenants who wished to buy and for landlords who wished 
to reclaim waste land. He showed that in the west of 
Ireland, where the tenant was the least secure, the value 
of the land had not doubled in 90 years; while in Eng¬ 
land it had trebled within that time, and in Scotland, 
where the tenant w’as the most secure, it had increased six- 



VICTORIA. 


511 


fold. 4. The subsequent passage of the Irish force bill by 
parliament occasioned increased discontent and stimulated 
emigration from Ireland. This bill provided for a sur¬ 
veillance of the press, arbitrary arrests without warrant, 
and the closing of inns at sunset. 5. In America, this 
feeling of aversion to English rule found vent in a Fe¬ 
nian demonstration against Canada, under general O’Neill. 
The movement was anticipated and checked by the author¬ 
ities of the United States and Canada, so that no serious 
fighting and but few casualties occurred. 

6. England took no active part on either side in the 
great struggle between Prussia and France, which event¬ 
ually terminated in the downfall of the French empire. 
Six English ships, however, were seized by the Prussians 
and sunk in the river Seine for the purpose of obstructing 
navigation. An explanation was demanded by England. 
The Prussian government apologized to earl Granville, 
offering pecuniary indemnity, • and announcing that the 
military commander who was guilty of the outrage had 
been court-martialed and dismissed the service. 

7. Russia having protested through prince Gortschakoff 
against certain sections of the treaty of 1856, in which 
that country had conceded her own disarmament on the 
Black sea in return for the neutralization of that sea, a 
conference was appointed with England, which resulted 
in a satisfactory manner to both countries, the restrictions 
on the admission of foreign men of war in the Dardanelles 
and Bosphorus being abrogated. 

8. In the spring of 1871, a treaty was framed by the 
joint high commission appointed by England and the 
United States. The following is a summary of its pro¬ 
visions : 

First. To provide for a speedy settlement of the Ala¬ 
bama claims, the latter are to be referred to live arbitra¬ 
tors, of whom one is to be named by the president of the 
United States, one by the queen of England, one by the 
king of Italy, one by the president of the Swiss Confeder¬ 
ation, and one by the emperor of Brazil. The tribunal is 
to meet at Geneva, to examine and decide all questions 
laid before it by the United States or England, and the 
final award is to be made by a majority of the arbitra¬ 
tors. Provision is made for the appointment of a board 
of assessors of three members, if need be, to meet at Wash¬ 
ington to fix the final award. 


518 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


9. Second. All other claims of either country against 
the other country for acts committed against property or 
person between April 13th, 1861, and April 9th, 1865, are 
to be referred to three commissioners—one appointed by 
the United States, one by the English queen, and the 
third to be selected as umpire by the other two. 

Third. Certain fishing privileges, with restrictions, to 
the citizens of the United States and to British subjects in 
American waters. 

Fourth. The navigation of the Saint Lawrence river to 
be opened to the United States, and Lake Michigan to the 
citizens of Canada. 

Fifth. The question as to the northern boundary of the 
United States to be submitted to the arbitration of the 
emperor of Germany. 

This treaty was ratified in the United States in May, 
1871, and in England in June of the same year. 

10. When the parliament of 1872 opened, the chief 
feature in the queen’s speech was the relation of her ma¬ 
jesty’s government with the United States on the question 
of the Alabama claims. In the commons, DTsraeli, allud¬ 
ing to the claims for indirect damages, to wit, loss in the 
transfer of shipping to the American flag, loss from en¬ 
hanced insurance, loss from prolongation of the war, said 
that the American claims were greater than those which 
would follow a total conquest, and, if admitted, would be 
fatal to the power and honour of England. Gladstone 
remarked that the American demands were such as no 
people in the last extremity of war would'submit to. Mr. 
Ralph Osborne declared that the astute American lawyers 
had outwitted the novices who represented Englaud in 
the commission. 11. Parliament asserted that, while 
England regrets the departure of rebel cruisers from her 
ports, she cannot acknowledge the justice of the claims 
against her for pecuniary damages for their acts. The 
United States must solidly establish the fact of England’s 
negligence. England is ready to accept the award of 
the tribunal of arbitration, whether favourable or un¬ 
favourable. She desires only that it be just. 

12. The British expedition operating against the Loo- 
shais in northern India attacked the enemy and inflicted 
heavy loss upon them. This success was attended with 
the loss of a number of gallant English soldiers, and the 
wounding of general Bourchier, an English officer. 


VICTORIA. 


519 


13. As queen Victoria was returning to the court-yard 
at Buckingham palace, after a drive through the park, 
Alfred O Connor, a Fenian lad, aged eighteen, sprang 
over the walls, rushed up to the carriage and struck the 
queen on the breast with an unloaded pistol, at the same 
time presenting a petition of amnesty for the Fenians, 
exclaiming: “iSign or die.” He was at once arrested and 
thrown into prison. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What rebellion broke out in British America? What was its resu’t? 

2. What important action was taken by parliament in 1869? What did 

earl Granville say? lord Clarendon? earl Russell? 

3. What was the nature of the Irish land bill? What is said as to the 

value of land ? 

4. What was the nature of the Irish force bill ? Its effect ? 

5. What demonstration did the Fenians make? Its result? 

6. What position did England take in the continental war? What 

damage did Prussia do to England ? 

7. What was the cause and result of the conference with Russia? 

8. When was a treaty entered into with the United States? What was 

the first provision of the treaty ? Where was the tribunal to meet ? 
What is said of the board of assessors ? 

9. What was the second clause of the treaty ? What was the third 

clause ? The fourth ? The fifth ? When was the treaty ratified ? 

10. In the parliament of 1872, what was the chief feature of the queen’s 

speech? What did D’Israeli say ? Gladstone? Osborne? 

11. What did parliament declare and promise ? 

12. What was the result of the Indian expedition ? 

13. Describe the attack upon the queen. 



520 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XL. 

SKETCH OF THE PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE 
ARTS, DURING THE PRESENT CENTURY. 

Calmly they show us mankind victorious 
O'er all that’s aimless, blind, and base ; 

Their presence has made our nature glorious, 

Unveiling our night’s illumined lace. — Sterling. 

1, In the middle of the last century, science and literature 
in England were fast losing all traces of originality ; inven¬ 
tion was discouraged, research unvalued, and the examina¬ 
tion of nature proscribed ; it seemed to be generally estab¬ 
lished, that the treasures accumulated in the preceding age, 
were quite sufficient for all national purposes, and that the 
only duty which authors had to perform, was to reproduce 
what had been thus accumulated, in a more elegant shape, 
adorned with all the graces of polished style. Tameness and 
monotony naturally result from a slavish adherence to es¬ 
tablished rules, and every branch of literature lelt this blight¬ 
ing inlluence : history, perhaps, was in some degree an ex¬ 
ception , for Hume, Robertson, but more especially Gibbon, 
exhibited a spirit of original investigation which found no 
parallel amongst their contemporaries. 2. The American 
war first broke the chains that had thus fettered the public 
mind ; passions were excited, party zeal kindled, and in the 
keen encounters of rival statesmen, an example was set of 
bidding defiance to all arbitrary rules. Parliamentary elo¬ 
quence was the first result of the change, and the principal 
cause of its further extension. While Burke, Fox, Sneridan, 
and at a later period, Pitt, spoke as their peculiar habits of 
thought prompted them, not as the rhetoric of schools taught, 
Cowper and Burns made vigorous elForts for the emancipa¬ 
tion of poetry, «nd substituted the suggestions of nature for 
the dictates of art. Their success, however, won la scarcely 
have been decisive, had not the American war been lollowed 
by a still more terrible convulsion. 3. The French revolu¬ 
tion shook everythign that had been morally as well as poli¬ 
tically established in Europe, to the very foundation. There 
was no principle, however sacred—no institution, howevei 
sanctioned by long experience—no rule of conduct, however 
tried ar.d proved—that was not rudely questioned anu fiercely 
assailed. Hopes were entertained by some, that a new era 
of social happiness was about to dawn upon the world, 
others feared that society was about to be rent in sunder, and 


PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 521 

every sign of civilization destroyed. It is not our purpose 
to say anything ol the political edects produced hy the 
French revolution ; its literary consequences, as has been 
the case with every period of great excitement, were dt> 
cidedly beneficial. A total change was wrought in every 
branch of literature, a change which demanded from every 
writer vigorous thought instead of elegant expre Mon. 4 
Oraobe, the poet of rustic life in England, derived his lm 
pulse from the American war; but it is to the struggle with 
France that we owe Coleridge, Wordsworth, and Southey— 
men alike in their devotion to nature, but different in their 
modes of testifying that homage, because each has followed 
the bent ol his own mode of thought. The enthusiasm with 
which these eminent poets hailed the dawn of freedom in 
France, embittered their disappointment, when they saw the 
evil uses to which the name of liberty was perverted ; they 
became vehement opponents of the political developement 
of the French revolution, but they clung fondly to its intellec¬ 
tual principles, and maintained the right of genius to explore 
untravelled paths, though its course might not be that pointed 
out by critics. Their example was followed by Montgomery, 
Byron, Scott, and Campbell; and bv a host of other writers 
whose works have enriched modern literature. The female 
mind also felt the influence of this mighty revolution, and 
some of the noblest productions in modern poetry have been 
written by ladies. We may mention the names of Miss 
Joanna Bailie, and Mrs. Remans. 

5. There was, however, one species of poetry, the drama, 
which had little or no share in the success which we have 
described; in fact, it was almost destroyed by that very 
means. It is at the moment when a nation is wakening into 
intellectual life, that the drama most flourishes ; men are then 
ea< r er to receive instruction, and the theatre affords it in the 
most pleasing as well as the most forcible form. But as 
civilization advances, other and more efficient means of in¬ 
struction are provided ; the drama loses its influence over the 
improved generation, just as the picture-books of childhood 
cease to be valued in youth ; it sinks into a mere means of 
entertainment, and its strength is lost with its high purpose 
The periodical press now holds the position that the stage did 
in the time of queen Elizabeth : that the drama might ad 
"mice, it would be necessary for civilization to retrograde 
and that would be far too high a price to pay even for uno 
fcher Shakspeare. 


2 v 2 



522 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


0 The great extension and excellence of our periodical 
p *ss, both literary and political, is one of the most striking 
a aracteristics of the age. Not merely the Reviews and 
Magazines, but even the common newspapers, display literary 
merits of a very high order. Men of the most eminent 
abilities and exalted stations, contribute to our journals; and 
they consequently hold a high rank in the literature of the 
age. Reviews, especially, have risen into unexampled emi¬ 
nence, and have maintained their stations by a succession cf 
articles that tend at once to improve the taste and enlarge the 
understanding. Some of the periodicals have a circulation 
which, in a past age, would not have been credited ; this is 
owing to the more general diffusion of education among all 
classes. 

7. The importance of affording useful instruction to every 
class of the community, is now universally acknowledged ; 
and the progress of education has become so rapid, that there 
is every prospect that its blessings will soon become univer¬ 
sal. And not only is the quantity of instruction increased, 
but its quality is greatly improved, as might easily be «hown 
by a comparison of our present school-books with those of 
the last century. It is no exaggeration to state, that the ele¬ 
ments of a really useful education, may be more easily at¬ 
tained by the poor of the present day, than by the richest of 
past generations. 

8. History, which used to be a mere repetition of what had 
been previously narrated by others, has called criticism to 
its aid. Instead of a slavish adherence to authority, we now 
see writers carefully examine facts, compare evidence, and 
investigate the motives which might have led original authors 
to conceal or disguise the truth. Lingard, Mallam, Turner, 
Southey, and Sir James Mackintosh, have been especially 
conspicuous for their critical sagacity, in eliciting the truth 
from conflicting statements; but, notwithstanding their exer¬ 
tions, the English school of historical criticism may still be 
regarded as in its infancy. 

b. Perhaps we may ascribe this deficiency in our histories 
to the unexampled progress and popularity of romantic litera¬ 
ture, owing chiefly to the labours of Sir Walter Scctt, who 
was among the first to unite, in works of fiction, the highest 
flights of imagination with the realities of life. Novels and 
romances have ceased to be dangerous and absurd, though 
they were both, in a period not very remote. Historical ro- 
mances are to this age, what the historical plays of Snaks 


TROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 523 

peare were to a former period—vivid pictures of our ances¬ 
tors; representing them, if r.ot exactly as they thought and 
acted, yet so nearly what they might have been, that they 
become to us a kind of acquaintances, and seem brought 
within the sphere of our personal knowledge. 

10. Periodical criticism supplies the place of what used to 
be termed general literature: hence formal works on mentau 
aud moral philosophy and the belles lettres are rare. Blair 
and lord Karnes were the guides of our fathers in matters o t 
taste; we have rejected their authority, and defer more to the 
principles maintained by the leading Reviews. These princi- 
pies, however, are scattered in different essays over a multi¬ 
tude ol volumes, and no one has yet appeared of sufficient 
authority to be entrusted with the task of collecting them 
into a new code. 11. Reid, Stewart, and Brown, were the 
last great writers on metaphysics; their fame will probably 
long remain uneclipsed, for the science of mind seems to have 
lost its hold on public attention, as indeed have almost all 
merely speculative studies. What is chiefly desired in the 
present day, is something practical and immediately useful. 

12. Political economy and statistics have occupied the po¬ 
sition which was once held by metaphysics. Adam Smith 
was in some measure the founder of the former science, 
from his investigating the nature and causes of a nation’s 
wealth. Since his day, the subject has engaged the atten- 
tion of several eminent writers, especially Ricardo, Malthus, 
and Macculloch. The cultivation of statistics must be the 
source of all future improvement in the science of political 
economy, because it is to tne table of the statistician that the 
economist must look for his facts; and all speculations not 
founded upor facts, though they may be admired and ap¬ 
plauded when first propounded, will, in the end, assuredly be 
foi gotten. 

13. The abstract sciences have made great progress in 
England during the last few years; principally owing to the 
great exertions of Airy, Ivory, Peacock, and Hamilton, who 
have greaily extended the domain of mathematical calcula¬ 
tion. tn tne mixed and applied sciences, also, much has 
been done, though no very conspicuous discovery can bo 
mentioned. 14. Astronomy owes much to the great im¬ 
pulse it has received from the discovery of a new planet by 
Sir William Ilerschell, and it has not been ,o ss benefited by 
the labours of his son and successor, Sir Jonn Ilerschell 
whose investigations into the nature of the displacements 


524 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


jbstrvcd among the fixed stars, have led to many, and will 
ieaa to more important results. The science of optics has 
become almost wholly new, from the improvements effected 
by JSir David Brewster and Dr. Young. But above all, dy 
namics have been enriched by a series of discoveries, umount- 
: ng to a complete revolution in our knowledge ol motive 
Dowers; it will be sullicient to mention one ol these, the ap¬ 
plication of steam to machinery. 

15. Chemistry, electricity, and electro-magnetism, may 
be almost regarded as new sciences, in consequence of the 
numerous discoveries of Davy, Dalton, and Farraday. It 
would be impossible to enumerate all the practical advan¬ 
tages that have resulted from the improvements in chemical 
science; but we may mention the use of gas to light our 
cities and public buildings, and the invention of the safety- 
lamp, by which the dangers to be dreaded from the explosion 
of the fire-damp in mines have been in a great degree 
averted. 

16. The progress of maritime and inland discovery was 
very gr>at during the early part of the reign of Geoige III., 
it has since made less advance, because the first navigators 
left little for their successors to explore. The interior of 
Africa has, however, at length been penetrated by the Lan¬ 
ders, and Burnes has found a practicable route from the Bri¬ 
tish possessions in Northern India to central Asia. The 
value of these researches has been fully proved by the fact 
that many of the places discovered in the reign of George 
III. by Cooke, Wallis, Carteret, Vancouver, &c., have al¬ 
ready become colonies, or valuable depots of British com¬ 
merce. 

17. Only one speculative science, it seems, has enjoyed 
popularity—we mean geology ; perhaps part of its success 
is owing to its connection with the practical science of min¬ 
eralogy. Geology makes us acquainted with so many sin¬ 
gular facts tending to prove that the world was once tenanted 
by a race of beings different from those now found in it, 
that we cannot be surprised at the delight with which it is 
Btudied. Indeed a much less agreeable subject might becom- 
popular, if recommended bv men of such ability as Cony 
beare, Smith, Buckland, Sedgwick, Mantel], and Lyell. 

IS. Physiology, anatomy, and natural history, have re- 
ceived very remarkable improvements. Hunters example 
has stimulated many to exert themselves in the same field of 
science : and the resui. has been a perceptible increase of 


PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 525 

the average duration of human life. The investigation of 
the nervous system by Sir Charles Bell, is among the most 
recent and brill hint of the additions that have been made to 
the medical science. 

19. Statistical science may almost be regarded as the 
creation ol this age. The word statistics was invented in 
the middle of the last century by a German professor, to ex 

ress a summary view of the physical, moral, and soc : al 
Condition of states; he justly remarked, that a numerical 
statement of the extent, density of population, imports, ex¬ 
ports, revenues, &c., of a country, more perfectly explained 
'ts social condition than general statements, however graphic 
or however accurate. When such statements began to be 
collected, and exhibited in a popular form, it was soon dis¬ 
covered that the political and economical sciences were likely 
to gain the position of physical sciences; that is to say, they 
were about to obtain records of observation, which would 
test the accuracy of recognized principles, and lead to the 
discovery of new modes of action. But the great object of 
this new science is to lead to the knowledge of human na¬ 
ture; that is, to ascertain the general course of operation of 
man’s mental and moral faculties, and to furnish us with a 
correct standard of judgment, by enabling us to determine 
the average amount of the past as a guide to the average 
probabilities of the future. This science is yet in its infancy 
but has already produced the most beneficial effects. The 
accuracy of the tables of life have rendered the calculations 
of rates of insurance a matter of much greater certainty 
than they were heretofore; the system of keeping the public 
accounts has been simplified and improved; and finally, the 
experimental sciences of medicine and political economy 
have been fixed on a firmer foundation than could be antici¬ 
pated in the last century. Even in private life this science 
is likely to prove of immense advantage, by directing atten¬ 
tion to the collection and registration of facts, and thus pre¬ 
venting the formation of hasty judgments and erroneous con¬ 
clusions. 

20. Political economy, though an older science than sta- 
.isties, must be regarded as intimately connected with that 
branch of knowledge. Its object is to ascertain the laws 
which regulate the distribution of wealth, and the relation of 
demand and supply in the production and consumption of 
both natural and artificial commodities. Such a science is 
consequently of the highest importance to a commercial and 


526 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


manufacturing community; and the increased attention paid 
to it of late years has led to a removal of many seve»e re 
strictions, which, under a false notion of protection, were 
unnosed on British trade. At first political economy was 
regarded with great suspicion, being looked upon as one of 
tnose idle speculations which, under the false designation of 
social sciences, were broached in France during the frenzy 
of the revolution, at the close of the last century. Bu. its 
importance is now so fully recognized, that professorships of 
the new science have been established in the principal uni 
versities. 

21. Fvon in this slight sketch it would be unpardonable 
not to mention the great, the almost miraculous increase of 
machinery in our manufactories; an increase consequent upon 
the cultivation of the sciences and their practical application. 
The use of steamboats, of locomotive engines, and of count¬ 
less machines for superseding manual labour, has placed Bri¬ 
tain far in advance of all other manufacturing countries, and 
proportionably increased the comforts of every class of the 
community. 

22. Great as the progress of British industry, arts, and 
sciences was, under the three preceding reigns, it has recently 
received a new impulse by the formation of the British Asso¬ 
ciation for the promotion of science, which promises to pro 
duce the most beneficial results. The meetings of this society 
are held annually at some one or other of the great towns of 
the empire: its objects are, to give a stronger impulse and 
more systematic direction to scientific enquiry; to promote the 
intercourse of those w'ho cultivate science in the different 
part s of the British empire, with each o'her, and with foreign 
philosophers; to obtain a more general attention to the objects 
of science, and a removal of any disadvantages of a public 
kind which might impede its progress. The Association 
has had a meeting in each of the following places: Yoik, 
Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Dublin, Bristol, and Liver¬ 
pool. It is divided into seven sections: 1, Mathematics and 
Physics; 2, Chemistry and Mineralogy; 3. Zoology and 
Rotany; 4, Anatomy and Physiology; 5, Geology; 6, >Sta 
tistics; and 7, Mechanical Science. In all these department^ 
but especially the two last, the greatest benefits have resulted 
from bringing practical men into immediate contact with the 
theoretical cultivators of science. Magnetical observatories 
have been established in consequence in various parts of the 
empire, and severa* series of observations have been made 


. PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 521 

to determine the direction and intensity of the magnetic force 
1 lie attention of the Association has also been directed to 
experiments tending to illustrate the nature of the connexion 
between electricity and magnetism; and since its formation 
meteorology has been so extended as to become a new science. 
The attention of the statistical section has been recently 
directed to the state of public education, and to the condition 
©1 the working classes, both in the manufacturing and agri- 
Cultural districts. It is to be hoped that these investigations 
will point out the evils which require to be remedied, and the 
means by which the constitution of society in Great Britain 
may be elevated and improved. 

23. Turning from the useful to the elegant arts, we must 
first remark the great revival of architectural taste during 
the last two reigns, especially as displayed in the many im¬ 
provements of the metropolis. Inconvenient and narrow 
passages have been removed to make room for Regent Street, 
one of the finest lines of communication in Europe; the 
Regent’s Park and the new squares in Pimlico, occupy spaces 
which were recently unsightly wastes; and the Strand, from 
being an inconvenient thoroughfare, has been widened into a 
street which for its beauty, combined with its adaptation to 
business, has few, if any rivals. The erection of those two 
magnificent structures, Waterloo and London bridges, has 
led to the opening of new lines of communication, which 
promise to be equally ornamental and useful. Recent cala¬ 
mities have also given an impulse to architectural skill; the 
destruction of both houses of Parliament and the Royal Ex¬ 
change by fire, have rendered the erection of new edifices 
necessary; and judging from the excellence of the designs 
which have been tendered for the erection of new houses for 
the legislature, there is every reason to believe that the new 
building will be worthy of an enlightened age and nation. 

24 Though painting and sculpture have not been unpa- 
tronizcd, it must be confessed that they have not advanced 
with the same rapidity and steadiness as the other arts, though 
England possesses professors of both who deserve to b& 
ranked among the ornaments of their country. Many causes 
may be assigned for this inferiority, but the principal is the dis¬ 
continuance of the use of pictures and statues for religious pur¬ 
poses since the time of the Reformation. Notwithstanding this 
disadvantage, however, the English school of art has recently 
made such great advances, that it bids fair at no distant day 
to rank as the first in Europe. The National Gallery which 


528 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


has been recently completed in Trafalgar Square, will pro¬ 
bably be found one of the best aids to the encouragement of 
excellence in statuary and painting, and to the formation of 
the public taste for appreciating the beauties of art. 

25. The great additions made to the British Museum, and 
Jhe freedom with which its treasures are opened to the public, 
must tend greatly to inspire a taste for contemplating the 
wonders of nature and art. The department of Natural 
History must be taken in connexion with the Zoological 
Gardens, which have been recently established, not only in 
the metropolis, but in the various parts of the empire: thus 
viewed, it is unrivalled in the world. The Elgin marbles 
contain specimens of Athenian sculpture, belonging to an age 
when that art had attained the summit of its glory, and though 
unfortunately mutilated, they furnish models to the young 
asoirants, which cannot be studied without the most advanta¬ 
geous results. In the gallery of Egyptian antiquities, the 
historical student has an opportunity of seeing the advances 
made in civilization by a powerful nation three thousand years 
ago, and for consulting the strongest evidences^!' the truth 
of Biblical History. 

26. In this rapid view of literature, science, and the arts, 
space has only allowed the mention of a few leading features; 
but there is one circumstance more, too important to be 
omitted: the growing and marked connexion between reli¬ 
gion and every department in which human intelligence is 
exercised. The discoveries of the traveller are combined 
with the labours of the missionary ; the studies of the natu¬ 
ralist are directed to elucidate the wonders of creative power, 
our best poets have dedicated no small portion of their works 
to celebrating the praises of their God ; and in other depart¬ 
ments of literature few traces can be found of the levity, 
the profaneness, and the sneers at things sacred, which sa 
often sullied the writings of the past generation. It is now 
deeply felt and strongly enforced, that all researches, whether 
mental or material, directly tend to give new proofs of the 
power, the wisdom, and the beneficence of that Almighty 
Being who has called into existence, and so wonderfully 
adapted to each other, the universe of matter and the universe 
of mind. 

27. But it is not in reference to England alone that this 
beneficial change in the character of our national literature, 
demands our thankfulness and admiration. The language of 
England girdles the globe; it is spoken in every climate and 


PROGRESS OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ETC. 529 

every quarter of the earth ; her colonies are laying the foun¬ 
dations of future states; the descendants of her colonies 
have already become one of the foremost nations in rank 
and influence. England has thus obtained great influence in 
the future progress of civilization, and on her is thrown the 
responsibility of moulding the character of countless gene 
rations. While we thus perceive that she has been called 
by the dispensation of Providence to fulfil a high destiny, 
we should at the same time feel how important is the trust, 
and earnestly desire that its performance should be such aa 
to promote the honour of God and the welfare of mankind 
establishing everywhere the principles announced at the ad¬ 
vent of our blessed Redeemer, “ Peace on earth, good wili 
towards men.” 


Questions for Examination. 

1. In what state was British literature about the middle of the last 

century ? 

2. By what political event was a change effected ? 

3. YVhat consequences resulted from the French revolution? 

4. Were those effects exhibited in our poetical literature? 

5. How did the drama fail to share in the general improvement ? 

6. What circumstances connected with the periodical press are pecu¬ 

liarly characteristic of the present age ? 

7. Has much been effected for the cause of national education ? 

8. Are histories written in the present day remarkable for anything that 

was rare in the last century ? 

9. What branch of literature has flourished to the probable injury of 

history ? 

10. Why are works on general literature rare ? 

11. Have metaphysics received much attention? 

12. What advantages may result from the cultivation of political economy 

and statistics ? 

13. Have any advances been made in the mathematical sciences ? 

14. What improvements have been effected in the physical sciences ? 

15. Have any sciences been so much improved that they may almost be 

regarded as new ? 

16. What advantages have resulted from the progress of maritime and 

inland discovery ? 

17. Why has geology become popular ? 

18. Did the medical sciences share in the general improvement? 

19. What are the nature and objects of Statistical Science ? 

20. In what condition is the new science of Political Economy ? 

21. What great inventions have been made in the useful arts? 

22. What is the design of the British Association ? 

23. Have any improvements been made in architecture ? 

24. What are the present state and future prospects of painting and 

I sculpture ? 

25. What benefits result from the British Museum ? 

26 Is there any circumstance peculiarly gratifying in the view of mod¬ 
ern literature ? . 

87 What is there peculiarly important in the present condition of 

England ? 


2 w 





530 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


CHAPTER XLI. 

THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 

1. Every government is instituted to secuie the genera! 
happiness of the community, and especially to protect the 
person and property of every individual. Constitutions are 
established to ensure the good administration of the govern 
ment, by giving the people some direct or indirect control 
over their rulers, and also a share in the formation ol the 
laws. 2. The British constitution dilfers from most others 
in its formation; it was formed very gradually, checks 
against the abuses of power were not devised until the evils 
were actually felt, and consequently its details, though some¬ 
times cumbrous, and perhaps inconsistent, are the results of 
long experience, and have been rendered by old habits ex¬ 
actly suited to the peculiar circumstances of the nation. 

3. The government established in England by the Nor 
man conqueror was a feudal despotism ; the land was divi¬ 
ded into fiefs, which were for the most part given to the Nor¬ 
man lords or barons, who were invested with absolute power 
over the lives and fortunes of their vassals. There were no 
written limitations to the power of the king over the barons, 
but, Henry 1., eager to secure partizans in his usurpation of 
the crown from his brother Robert, granted a charter of pri 
vileges to his nobility, which contained also a few stipula¬ 
tions in favour of the great body of the people. 4. The 
conditions of this charter were flagrantly violated, until at 
length, in the reign of John, the barons, with a powerful 
body of their adherents, appeared in arms against the king, 
and forced him to sign Magna Charta, the great foundation 
of English liberty. Though this charter was principally de 
signed to protect the nobles from the encroachments of royal 
power, it contained some important provisions in favour of 
general liberty ; a clear proof of the growing power of the 
commons. 

5. When the importance of commerce began to be under 
Btooq, it was found necessary to secure the trading towns and 
communities from the exactions of their powerful neighbours, 
fer in the middle ages piracy and highway robbery were 
deemed honourable professions by most of the feudal nobles 
in Europe. To protect trade, charters of incorporations were 


531 


THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 

granted to several cities and towns, by which they were re¬ 
leased liom dependence on a feudal lord, and permitted to 
eujuy a government ol their own choosing, A gradua. 
change took place through the country in consequence of 
the adventurous and reckless spirits of the Norman barons; 
some sold their fiefs to raise money for joining the crusades; 
others wasted them by piecemeal to support their riot and 
dissipation, and thus from various causes a body of small 
andholders began to be formed, independent of the great 
barons, and looking to the crown for protection against 
them. 6. W hen the earl of Leicester tooK up arms to re¬ 
strain the capricious tyranny of Henry flf., he summoned a 
parliament to sanction his designs, and that the voice of the 
nation might be more clearly expressed, he invited the coun¬ 
ties to elect knights of the shire, ana the cities and towns to 
send deputies, to aid in these consultations. This appears to 
have been the first attempt to form a house of commons ; 
but the origin and early progress oi that branch of the legis¬ 
lature is involved in great, not to say hopeless obscurity. 

7. The commons were generally courted by the king as 
a counterbalance to the power ol the nobility; until the civil 
wars between the rival houses of York and Lancaster, hav 
ing thinned the ranks of the barons, extinguished many 
noble houses, and almost annihilated the influence of the 
rest, the royal power became supreme, and so continued 
during the reigns of the four sovereigns of the house of 
Tudor. 8. But the commons during this period had been 
silently collecting their strength, and on the accession of 
James I. they insisted on their privileges with a pertinaev, 
which led to a long struggle between the king and the parlia¬ 
ment. In this contest the majority of the house of lords, 
which had been reinforced by the elevation to the peerage of 
some of the heads of the old English families, espoused the 
cause of the commons. At length Charles 1. was coerced 
into granting the petition of right, which secured many valu¬ 
able constitutional privileges to the people. But passions 
hud been excited in the strangle which brought on a civil 
wai, that ended in the overthrow of the monarc hy. 

9. During the reign of Charles II. the celebrated habeas 
Corpus was passed, by which personal liberty is secured to 
the subject; hut the perfection of the British constitution was 
completed in 11588, when James II. was hurled from the 
throne for his arbitrary principles, the right of parliament to 
regulate the succession to the crown established, and the 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


532 

liberties of the people secured by the Bill of Rights, and the 
Act of Settlement. 10. Since that period no important 
change was made in the constitution until the passing ol the 
recent Reform Bill, by which the decayed and deserted 
boroughs have lust their right of sending members to parlia¬ 
ment,"and the privilege has been transferred to the largei 
counties and more important towns. 

11. The legislative power of England is placed in the par 
liament, which consists of three parts, the king, (or queen), 
the lords, and the commons. 

12. The crown of England is hereditary, but par iament 
has a right to alter the line of succession. After the abdi¬ 
cation of James II., the right of succession was limited to 
protestants, and on the impending failure of protestant heirs 
to Charles I., the settlement was extended to the protestan 
line of James 1., viz. to the princess Sophia of Hanover, and 
the heirs of her body being protestants. The present reign¬ 
ing family is descended from the princess Sophia, and holds 
the throne in right of her parliamentary title. 

13. The duties of the sovereign are described in the coro¬ 
nation oath; they are, first, to govern according to law; 
secondly, to execute judgment in mercy; and thirdly, to 
maintain the established religion. 14. The prerogatives of 
the king, by which is meant those privileges which belong to 
him in consequence of his high station and dignity, are either 
direct or incidental. The chief of his direct prerogatives 
are, the power of making war and peace; of sending and 
receiving ambassadors ; of pardoning offences ; of conferring 
honours and titles of dignity ; of appointing judges and sub¬ 
ordinate magistrates; of giving or revoking commissions in 
the army or navy ; and of rejecting bills proffered to him by 
the other branches of the legislature. He is the head of the 
nationa 1 church, and nominates to vacant bishoprics and 
other ecclesiastical preferments. 

15. But the king can only exercise his prerogatives 
through ministers, who are responsible to the nation for 
every act emanating from royal authority. Hence arises 
the aphorism that “ the king can do no wrong,” his minister 
being alone answerable. 

16. The incidental prerogatives of the king are various , 
a few alone need be mentioned: no costs can be recovered 
against him; his debt shall be preferred before that of a 
subject; no suit or action can be brought against, but any 


THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 533 


person having a claim in point of property on the king must 
petition him in chancery. 

17. There are certain privileges also conceded to the roya’ 
family : the queen retains her title and dignity even after tne 
death ol her husband : she has authority to buy and sell in 
her own name, and to remove any suit in which she is con¬ 
cerned to whatever court she pleases, without auv of the 
Usual legal formalities. The king’s eldest son is by his birth 
prince of Wales, and by creation, duke of Cornwall and 
earl ol Chester. All the king’s children receive the title of 
royal highness. 

18. The house of lords is sometimes called the upper 
house ol parliament; its members are either temporal peers, 
whose dignities are hereditary, or spiritual peers, who sii 
only for life. The Scottish representative peers sit only for 
one parliament, the Irish representative peers sit for life. A 
peer may vote by proxy; but each peer can only hold the 
proxy for one absent peer. The house of lords can alone 
originate any bills that affect the rights or privileges of the 
peerage, and the commons are not permitted to make any al¬ 
terations in them. Peers can only be tried by the uouse of 
lords, and this house constitutes the court in which officers 
of state are tried on impeachment by the house of commons; 
if is also the last court of appeal from inferior jurisdictions. 
Each peer may enter his protest on the journals when a vote 
passes contrary to his sentiments, and assign the reasons of 
his dissent in writing. When sitting in judgment his verdict 
is given “on his honour;” the same form is obseived in his 
answers on bills in chancery, hut in civil and criminal cases 
he must he sworn. 

19. The house of lords (A. D. 1836) consists of— 


Princes of the blood royal, (all 


dukes).4 

Other dukes*.21 

Marquesses.19 

Karls.110 

Viscounts.18 

Barons.180 


Peers of Scotland.16 


Peers of Ireland.28 

Englisn bishops.26 

Irish bishops.4 


Making in dll . . 426 


* The origin and other particulars relative to the different classes of the 
nobility. —f)t.’KE.—This title was unknown in Ent,'.and till the rtign ot 
Edward III., who, in 1335, created his son, Edward the Black pr.nca, 
dike of Cornwall, (as before mentioned). 

Mamvis.—R ichard II., in 1385. conferred the title of marquis or. 
Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, by making him marquis of Dublin 
This is supposed to be the origin of the title in England. 

Eari.. This is a very ancient title, having been m use among oui 
Saxon ancestors. In those times it was an official dignity, having 

2 w 2 













HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


534 


20. The house of commons consists of members chosen 
oy counties, cities, boroughs, and universities. I lie mom- 
fters lor counties, commonly called knights oi the shire, must 
possess a real estate of 601)2. a year, and members for cities 
or boroughs of 3002. a year. The sons of peers and mem¬ 
bers for the universities are not required to produce these 
qualifications. 

21. Aliens, clergymen, judges, returning officers in the* 
respective jurisdictions, officers of the excise, &c., thoso 
who hold pensions of limited duration, contractors with gov. 
eminent, and some others exposed to external influence, are 
uneligible to parliament. 

22. The right of voting for members of parliament is 
given by the late reform act to leaseholders in counties seised 
of lands or tenements worth ten pounds a year, to tenants at 
will, farming lands at a rent ol fifty pounds a year, and to 
holders in fee-simple of lands or tenements of the yearly 
value of forty shillings. In cities and boroughs the right of 
voting is given to resident householders whose tenements are 
worth an annual rent of 102., but the rights of freemen in 
the old constituency are preserved for the term of their natural 
lives. 

23. The house of commons contains— 


English county members . 143^ 

Universities.4 >471 

Cities and boroughs . . 324 J 

Welsh county members . 15 > gg 
cities and boroughs 14 > 
Scotch county members . 30? ^ 
Cities and boroughs . . 23 3 


Irish county members 
Universities . 
Cities and boroughs 

Making in all . 


64-> 

2 >105 
39 J 


658 


24. In order to understand the manner in which the public 
business is transacted in parliament, we insert a brief ac¬ 
count of the usual forms, and an explanation of the terms 
generally used. Discussions generally arise on a motion 


jurisdiction over the place from which the title took its name. Soon after 
the Norman conquest, we find that William created several earls, allot 
ting to each the third penny arising from the pleas in their respective dis 
tricls. That grant has, however, long since ceased, and in lieu ol it the 
earls now receive a small annuity from the exchequer. 

Viscount. —The title of viscount is of much more recent date; the 
first we read of being John Beaumont, who was created viscount Beau¬ 
mont by Henry VI. in the year 1439. 

Baron. —In English history we often find the word baron used to do- 
hominate the whole collective body of the nobility. When, after the 
Norman conquest, the Saxon title of Thane was disused, that of baron 
succeeded ; and being the lowest title among the nobles, was very gene 
rally applied as the term lord is now ; with which, indeed, it appears to 
be nynon mous. 





TIIE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 535 

being made by a member, seconded by auother and then 
put from the chair in the shape of a question; on eacn of 
these, every member is entitled to be heard once, but he may 
rise again to explain, and the member who originates a mo* 
tion is allowed to reply. 

25. Committees are, first, those of the whole House, 
which may be to consider of certain resolutions, in respect 
to the nature of which considerable latitude prevails; or the 
house resolves itself into such committee to consider the de¬ 
tails of a bill, the principle of which is never discussed unless 
on its several readings; or there may be committees for 
financial purposes, as those of u supply, 7 ’ or u ways and 
means. 77 Secondly, there are select committees, chosen by 
ballot or otherwise, for some specific purpose—the numbers 
composing such bodies seldom exceed twenty or thirty mem¬ 
bers : occasionally these are declared committees of secrecy. 
Thirdly, election committees, which are strictly judicial tri¬ 
bunals, and whose duty it is to try the merits of controverted 
elections — these are always chosen by ballot. Fourthly, 
committees on private bills. 

26. When the whole house is in committee, the speaker 
vacates the chair, some other member is called on to preside, 
and he sits in the seat of the senior clerk. The mace is 
then placed under the table. For committees of supply and 
ways and means, there is a chairman, who receives a salary. 

27. The prorogation of parliament is an act of the crown; 
but either house may adjourn its sittings to the next or any 
future day, as of course it may adjourn any debate. Motions 
of adjournment may be made at any time, and repeated at 
the pleasure of any member. 

28. When a motion has been made upon which the House 
happens to be unwilling to come to a vote, there are formal 
modes of avoiding a decision, among which are passing “ to 
the other orders, 77 or moving “ the previous question. 77 The 
former means, that the house should — casting aside and 
hiking no further notice of the matter then before it—pro¬ 
ceed to the other business appointed for that day; the latter, 
that a vote be previously taken as to the expediency of their 
coming to any decision on the question raised. If “ the pre¬ 
vious question’ 7 be decided in the negative, the motion on 
which it bears is only gotten rid of for the time, whereas a 
direct negative to the motion itself would be a proscription of 
it for the remainder of the session, as well as a denial of its 
principle. 


536 


HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 


29. With respect to a bill, moving that it “be read tin 
day six months,” is a mode of throwing it out without coming 
to an express declaration against the principle of the measure 

80. An acceptance of “the Chiltern hundreds” is a foim 
which has now no other meaning than that the member ac¬ 
cepting resigns his seat. By an express act of parliament, 
no office having emolument attached, can be conferred by 
the crown on a member of the house of commons without 
his thereby vacating his seat, and it is only thus that a mem¬ 
ber cau rid himself of the duties which any body of consti¬ 
tuents may impose even without his consent; the crown, 
therefore, as an accommodation to the house at large, is 
always ready to confer on any member “ the stewardship of 
his majesty’s Chiltern hundreds,” which office, when it has 
served his purpose, he immediately resigns. 

31. The king, we have already said, is the fountain of 
executive justice. Law, whether criminal or civil, however, 
is administered by the judges, who, with the exception of 
the lord chancellor, hold their places during good behaviour. 
No man can be tried for any oflence until the grand jurors 
of his country have decided that there is reasonable ground 
for the accusation ; he is then given in charge to a jury of 
his equals, and their verdict is final. No man can be tried 
twice for the same offence, and when a person is convicted by 
a jury, there is no appeal but to the mercy of the king. 

32. 'Phe administration of civil law could not be descril>ed 
within our narrow limits ; it must suffice therefore to state, 
that the civil and common law courts are open to every 
suitor, and that justice is freely administered to all, whatevei 
may be their rank or station. 


Questions for Examination. 

1. What is the use ot a constitution ? 

2. Whence arises the peculiar excellence of the British constitution 1 

3. By whom was the first charter granted to the English pcop.o ? 

4. W hat circumstances led to t he concession of Magna Charta i 

5. Why were corporations established ? 

6. What was the origin ol the .louse of commons ? 

7. Did the kings favour the hojse of commons? 

8 When did the authority ol the king come into collision with the au. 

thorny of parliament ? 

9 What led to the revolution of 1688? 

10. What change was made by the Reform Bill ? 

11. Into what branches is the British legislature divided? 

12. How is the inheritance of the crown regulated i 
lit. Where are the king’s duties prescribed? 



THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION. 


53 ? 


14. What are the king’s direct prerogatives f 

15. Hew are tnese prerogatives exercised ? 

16. What aie the king’s incidental prerogatives? 

17. Are any privileges conceded io the royal family ? 

18. Can you describe the privileges of the peerage? 

19. How are the members of the house of lords classed ? 

20. W nat are the qualifications for a member of parliament ? 

21. Are any persons excluded from the lower house of parliament f 

22. How is the right of voting for members of parliament regulated I 

23. How are the members of the house of commons classed ? 

24. In what manner do discussions arise ? 

25. Can you describe the committees of the house of commons ? 

26. What form is used on going into committee ? 

27. How does prorogation of parliament differ from adjournment ? 

28. How does the house avoid coming to a decision ? 

29. How may a bill be rejected without prejudice to the principle it in 

volves ? 

30. What is meant by accepting the Chiltern hundreds? 

31. How is the criminal law administered ? 

3& Has due provision been d*.w< 3 for the administration of common an 
civil law ? 



APPEN DIX 


MON ARCUS BEFORE THE CONQUEST. 



No. 

r 

1 

1 

2 

i 

3 

• 

4 

. 


5 

<r 

?* 


6 

2, 


7 

* 


8 



0 



10 



11 



12 



13 



14 


. 

15 


f 

16 

s 

5 


17 

18 



19 

9) 


I 


20 

5 


21 




MONARCHa 


> • • • « 


Robert* * * § 

Ethel wolf 
Eineilmid 
EthHh.-rl 
Elhetretl 1. f . 

Altrmli . 

Eilwarii the Elder 

Atheistan .. 

Edmund I §. 

EiIpmI • 

Edwy .. 

Edgar ........... 

Edward II .. 

Ethelred 11.(|. 

Edmund Ironside II 


»-«-• • • 




K • « •-« • 


' • ♦ • • 


• « • • •••*.< 


' ««•>•• • ♦ « • • « 


Sweyn. 

i ’a mite. 

Harold I .... 
Hardicamite 


Edward III. or the Confessor. 

Harold II.. son of Godwin, earl of Kent. 


B'-gau 

to 

Reign 

P.eigne 
Y ears 

A D 

827 

10 

838 

20 

857 

3 

860 

6 

806 

5 

872 

29 

901 

24 

925 

15 

940 

6 

946 

9 

955 

4 

959 

16 

975 

3 

978 

37 

1016 

1 

1014 

3 

1017 

19 

1036 

3 

1039 

2 

1041 

25 

1006 

1 


* Egbert descended from Cerdic, the first king of Wessex, a Saxon general, who, 
in the year A I). 4'.'5. arrived in Hritain It is said hi the Saxon annals, that he 
was descended from Woden, the root of the Saxon families; and by Ins compicst 
which he made in Britain, he may be considered as one of the first founders of the 
English monarchy the kings of England descend from him in the male line to 
Edward the Confessor, and in the female line to the illustrious princess who now 
Bite upon the throne. 

f Killed in battle against the Danes, in 871. 

J Introduced ti in* bv jury, divided England into shires and hundreds, and founded 
the University of i xford. 

§ Was killed by Leolf, a notorious robber. 

I) In 10 4, Sweyn, king of Denmark, made himself master of England, and was 
Crowned king and Ethelred fled into Normandy. On the death of Sweyn, which 
happened in 1015, the crown was contested by Edmund Ironside, (the lawful sue- 
censor of Ethelred), and Canute, the descendant of Sweyn, who at length agreed 
to divide the kingdom among them; but Edmund being murdered shortly arte* 
this treaty was entered into, Canute, (surnamed the Great) was declared kiag oi 
111 Eug and in 1U17. 

(538) 






























Appendix 


539 


MONARCIIS SINCE TIIE CONQUEST. 





* Son of Robert, duke of Normandy. 

* Son of A del a and Count of Blois; hence the house of Blois. 

{ «on of Matilda and Geoffrey Plantagenet, hence the Plantagenet race. 

3 Son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster: hence the house of Lancaster, 
if Son of Richard, duke of York, lineally descended from Lionel, duke of Clarence, 
the second Son of Edward the Third: hence the House of York. 

m Whs t he son of Margaret and Edward Tudor. Margaret was a lineal descendant 
from lohn of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster: Edmund Tudor was the sou of Owen 
Tudor who married the widow of Henry V.: hence the House of Tudor. 

1 ** Son of Mary, uueen of Scots, and Henry Stuart, lord Durnley: hence the rac« 

of Stuarts. 

ft Elector of Uanover: hence the race of Brunswick. 




























































































































540 


appendix, 


DIVISION OF ENGLAND 

At the time of the Roman invasion. 

England, including Wales, was, at the invasion of the Romaiis, 
iivided into the following seventeen states: 


Called by the Romans Consisting of 

I. The Dammonii. .. .Cornwall and Devon. 

51, Liurotriges .Dorsetshire. 

3 BelgjE .Somersetshire, Wilts, and part of Hants. 

4 Atthebatii .Berkshire. 

5. Regni .Surrey. Sussex, and remaining part of Hants. 

6 Cantu .Kent. 

7. Dodunj ... .Gloucester and Oxfordshire. 

8. Cattieuchi.ani ...Bucks, Bedford, and Herts. 

9. Trinobantes .Essex and Middlesex. 

10. Ickni .Suffolk, Norfolk, Huntingdon, and Cambridge. 

II. Coiutani .Northampton, Leicester, Rutland, Lincoln, Not 

tmgham and Derby. 

12. Cornavi .Warwick, Worcester, Stafford, Chester, and 


Shropshire. 

13. The Silures . ...Radnor, Brecon, Glamorgan, Monmouth, and 


Hereford. 

14. Demet.® .Pembroke, Cardigan, and Caerinarthen. 

15 Or dovices .Montgomery, Merioneth, Caernarvon, Flint, anJ 

Denbigh. 


1C. The Brigantes. .. York, Durham, Lancashire, Westmoreland, and 

Cumberland. 

17. Ottadini .Northumberland to the Tweed. 


KINGS OF ENGLAND, 

From the invasion of Julius Ccesar to the departuie of the Romans. 


ANNO, A c. 


1. Carwivelauuus.83 

2. Theomantius. ..50 

3. Cymbeline.24 

A. D. 

4 Guiderius.45 


5. Arvirigus.73 


A D. 

6. Marins.125 

7. Coilus.179 

8. Lucius.207 

9. Severus (em.) .... 91 l 

10. Bassianus. a!8 

11. Caruuanjj.225 


A. IX 

12. Alectus.237 

13. Asclepiodorus .... 2o2 

14 Coilus LI.289 

15. Conslantius (em.). 310 
Hi. Constantine (em.) 329 


from the departure of the Romans till the introduction of the Saxons 

Vortigern. 


oy 


A. D. 

Octavius.383 

Mauiiniuianu* . . 391 


A. D. 


iGratian.431 

I Constantine 1.440 


a. a 

Constantius ......... 446 

Vortigern.........450 
































INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY 


Acooraing to Bede, and other authentic historians, the kingdoms ol 
the Heptarchy embraced Christianity in about the following order : 


K^nt. 

A. D. 

Wessex 



A. D. 

Sa'.’ons. 




.fV¥) 

Northumberland 
East Augila. 


Anitli Sarnnn 


.KHf) 






The kingdom of Kent.. 


Began. 

. 547 

Ended. 

823 

746 

792 

783 

1066 

847 

600 

Capital. 

Canterbiry. 

London. 

York. 

Dunwich. 

Winchester. 

Leicester. 

Chichester. 






nr Wpsspt. 

. 519 





• • *4 • • »-* 

South Saxons......... 




THE BRITISH MINISTRY. 

September , 1841. 

x Salary. 

Sir Robert Peel, Bart .First Lord of the Treasury.- JE5,'M)0 

1/rd Lyndhurst... Lord Until Chancellor .14,000 

Lord VV it a R nit.1 pee. Lord President of the Council........ 2.000 

Duke of HcerLEi’CH.Lord Privy Seal . 2,000 

Sir James R. G Graham .Secretary of State —Home Dep .. 5,000 

Earl of Aberdeen .Secretary of State— Foreign Dep...... 5,000 

Lord Stanley .Secretary of State— Colonial Dep ..... 5,000 

Rt Hon. Henry Goulbocrn .Chancellor of the Exchequer. 5,000 

Earl of Haddington .First Lord of the Admiralty. . 4,500 

Sir Edward Knatchbcll .Paymaster-General - r .. 2.500 

Earl of Ripon .President of Board of Contro’. 2,000 

Rt. Hon VV E. Gt aDstonk. ...President of the Board of Trade..... • 

Bi: Thomas Frekmantlk. Secretary at War . 2.530 

Duke of Wellington .Commander of the Forces. 

THE ARCHBISHOPS. 


Income, 

William Howley, D. D., Primate . .Canterbu 1 ^ ... £129,040 

Edward II arcodrt, D. C. L. .......York .. 223 


REVENUE. 

The total income of the year ending January 5, 1844, waa • • « £50.071.943 

2 X 


THE END 
































































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n ' » « . > ' - ' 

' ' . t 


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’S ■ 
















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‘ 

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DECIIUS JUNIUS JUVENALIS. 

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WITH THE LIFE OF JUVENAL, 

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AS IMPROVED 

3Y THOMAS CLARK, 

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“Tha Satires of Pecimns Junius Juvenalis, with a literal interlinear translation,by Hiram 
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used in teaching the ancient languages according to the Hamiltonian system. Juvenal, in 
ttils form, has never before been published in the United States, and the present edition will 
be exceedingly useful to those persons who desire to become acquainted with the writings of 
themost bitter satirist ever known. Juvenal’s description of the vices of the ancients present* 

I * fee.! till spectacle of the wickedness of ancient Rome, but should lie read only by advanced 
students. In accordance with Juvenal’s doctrine* maxima debetur puero reverentia, “ th« 
greatest respect is due to a child,” Mr. Corson has omitted the translations of the objection- 
*Re passages.— 1’u die Ledger, Philada. 


* The Satires of Decimns Junius Juvenalis, by Hiram Corson, M.A., Professor of English 
Literature, Rhetoric, and Oratory in the Cornell University.” This, an interlinear edition, 
has Gifford's Life of the author and tiie sixteen Satiies. The interlining runs with the text 
are! renders translation easy to tiie greatest neophyte. So far as such aids are ever com¬ 
mendable, this is to be praised: but it is a still undecided question whether the pupil i« 
1 really advanced by them, or, if undecided, the balance is against the practice. The voJum* 
is issued in a very handsome manner, and will he serviceable to teachers and to elderly gen¬ 
tlemen wl ose Latinity is a little rusty. There are no notes. Each Satire carries its lassos 
and argument as a brief prefix. —- if. J. atid 17* S. Gasette, Ph i j a da. 


68 















CLARK’S LATIN GRAMMAR. 


-«* — i -*■- 

PRACTICAL 

AND ' 

PROGRESSIVE LATIN GRAMMAR. 

ELEMENTARY COURSE. 

BY THOMAS CLARK, 

UNTOR OF THE FORMER ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILADELPHIA BOOKSELLERS FOR THE PUBI.ICATIOI! t 
THE LATIN AND GREEK CLASSICS; ALSO, EDITOR OF SEVERAL LATIN CLASSICS WITH 
NOTES; AS. LIKEWISE, OF THE POPULAR SERIES OF INTERLINEAR 
TRANSLATIONS, COMPRISING HORACE, C.SSAR, 

CICERO, SALLUST, ETC. 

Revised and Enlarged. Edition., 

IN WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED A 

SECOND OR FULL COURSE OF THE LATIN GRAMMAR. 

In one volume, royal 12 mo, 365 pages, half turlcey-morocco binding. Price $1.50. 

TV.9 plan of this Grammar is altogether of a practical nature; for, while tt 
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lessons extracted from the Classics. Where this method has been properly a] 
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been the result. This Grammar is adapted to the Interlinear Series of Classici 
and all other systems. 

Even those teachers who are opposed to translations of every kind in learnin 
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sary principles of the language, previous to the commencement of the study t 
the classics; for the lessons here given have principally in view the exemplifyin 
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-♦—»- ♦- 


OPINIONS OF TEACHERS, ETC. 

It gives me great pleasure to state, that I have found “Clark’s Latin Grammar,” which 
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I have examined “ Thomas Clark’s Practical and Progressive Latin Grammar,” To all wh 
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EXTRACT FROM THE TREFACE. 

** Eloquence is one of the chief elements of political distinction, as well as one of the mos< 
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OPINIONS OF EMINENT TEACHERS. 

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. 





INTERLINEARS. 


CLASSICAL WORKS 

PUBLISHED BY 

Charles De Silver & Sons, Philadelphia. 


HAMILTON, LOCKE, AND CLARKE’S INTERLINEAR CLASSICS. 




The plan of these works is not new. It is merely the adaptation of the experi¬ 
ence of many of the best and most inquiring minds in educational pursuits — 
methodizing what ivas vague and loose. When the Latin tongue was the only 
language of diplomacy and scientific international communication, to acquire a 
knowledge of it was considered of more importance than now. This method was 
then recommended by Cardinal Wolsey John Ascham, Latin Secretary to Queen 
Elizabeth , by the best Latin scholar and writer of his time, John Milton, and 
also by John Locke. In teaching classes by oral dictation, these works present 
advantages that no others contain. From the thousands of testimonials as to the 
excellence of the Interlinear System from teachers and eminent literary men, the 
publishers give a few selections as specimens. 


VIRGIL. 

®lw Itfodb §?. HhgUiujs pare, 

CONSISTING OF THE 

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With the Original Text reduced to the Natural Order of 
Construction, and an Interlinear Translation, as nearly 


Literal as the Idiomatic Differences of the Latin 
and English Languages will allow. 


ADAPTED TO THE SYSTEM OF CLASSICAL INSTRUCTION 

Combining the Methods of Abschaivl ,Milton, and Locke. 

By LEVI HA^T ahdOSBORN. 


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